Bullfighting in Spain

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Bullfighting in Spain

• Nikki Dielfield

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Overview

• Bullfighting is considered a spectator sport in
  Spain.
• It is also considered an art form and an integral
  part of the Spanish culture.
• A bullfight is about the performance, bravery,
  skill, and death.
• Bullfighting can be considered controversial to
  some people and animal rights activists in Spain
  today.

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History

• The exact time period of the origin of
  bullfighting is unknown, but it is expected to
  have been introduced by the Moors in the 11th
  century
• Bullfighting evolved into a sport during the
  Middle Ages and was practiced by nobles
• Later in the 18th century, bullfighting became
  more expansive and was opened up to large crowds
  within bullrings

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Components

• A bullfight consists of 3 matadors (matadores), 6
  bulls (toros), and 6 assistants for each matador
  2 lancers (picadores), 3 flagmen (banderilleros)
  1 sword servant (mozo de espada)

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Stages of a Bullfight

• Stage 1 Tercio de varas
• The matador and banderillos test the bull for its
  ferocity and the matador has his first
  confrontation with the bull.
• The picadores then enter the ring and stab the
  bull in the muscle at the back of the bulls neck
  to weaken the muscles.

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Stages cont.

• Stage 2 Tercio de banderillas
• The banderilleros each try to stab barbed sticks
  into the back of the bulls neck in order to
  further weaken the bull.
• This often angers the bull into making charges at
  the banderilleros.

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Stages cont.

• Stage 3 Tercio de muerte
• The matador is back in the bullring alone, armed
  with a small sword and red cape.
• The cape is used to distract the attention of the
  bull.
• In this stage, the matador must stab the bull
  between the shoulder blades, piercing the heart
  at which the bull dies instantly.

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Bullfighting Vocabulary

• plaza de toros (bullring)
• corrida (bullfight)
• matador (bullfighter)
• picador (lancer)
• capa (cape)
• banderilleros (flagmen)
• mozo de espada (sword servant)
• cuadrilla (bullfighters team)
• sol/sombra (sun/shade)

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Bullfighting Controversy Discussion Assignment

• Although bullfighting is considered to some to be
  a tradition in Spain and have much cultural
  significance, there are others who believe the
  sport demonstrates cruelty to animals.
• Your task is to get into groups of 3 or 4 and
  discuss your opinions on this matter.
• For homework, your assignment is to find a news
  article related to this topic and bring it into
  class tomorrow for further discussion.