Bullfight Blues Posted on Minggu, 04 Desember 2011 |

Spain's notorious Bullfight is one of the most famous customs upheld by the Spanish. It draws attention worldwide from people who just love the sport, and also from many others who are agains't this barbaric onslaught.

I hasten to add that this kind of entertainment is not for me, but for many thousands that travel to watch a Bullfight they get to mingle with the dedicated locals who have a tradition to uphold. This is a sure sign that they do not feel the way I do.

Stuffed like sardines into a jam packed arena, avid enthusiasts who in support of this sport continue to excite each other with roars of encouragement for the Bullfight to commence. Cheers of Ole is how excited spectators greet this mighty powerful bull as he makes his grand entance and presence known to all.
Confused and not sure as to why he was the center of attention, the bull decides to take advantage of his new famed popularity by giving a priceless perfomance to the maddening crowd. He would do this by digging his hoof into the ground beneath him sending dust clouds swirling into the air while at the same time from his steaming nostrils an encore of snorts.

Looking more like a riot at football match the cramped stadium and all the commotion makes the beast very nervous.
Why he was summoned here today he did not know - but he was soon to find out.

What on earth is the Bull thinking?
Sheer jubilation among the crowds as the adrenalin began to pump for all who had gathered to this event, as it was only minutes away before the Bullfight.

Picadores armed with lances announce there presence into the arena on horseback to a stadium of screaming fans. All mounts blind folded.
These men (Picadores) Their job is to tantalise and maim the bull before slaughter. This is done by following orders that on departure from the ring that they leave all weapons behind, and they do just that.

Pierced in-between the shoulder blades of a very frightened Bull.

What on earth is that Bull thinking now?

This is just the beginning of the end. Stunned dazed and hurting, the bull now with so many body piercings still manages a few breathless snorts. The reflection of his image is like that of a voodoo doll. Not a pretty sight.

The efforts of the Picadores were never enough at a bullfight, you have the Banderilleros whose mission is to distract the bull, and they would do this by running in circles in and around the animal thus making him tired and dizzy.
How do you distract a dying bull with so much blood loss? not a hard job, the bull's options for escape are zilch.
Stabbed and drained of his almighy strength and unable to raise his head due his injuries. Makes the bull an easy target for any Matador.

In all his finery the murderer oops sorry Matador enters the arena. Black beret, jewelled bolero red cape and breeches buttoned at the knees..This sight alone was enough to scare any bull.
Spurred on by the cheering crowds to cast the fatal blow, the Matador provokes his dying opponent to charge. All attempts made by this sad oh so sad disoriented bull to retaliate to the words TORO were not that of a fully charged up angry irate bull. Amenesty is given to the bull should the Matador miss his target. A slayer is called in to put the beast out of his misery by cutting the spinal cord with a dagger. Has this bull not had enough stabbings for the day? This action can go terribly wrong leaving the bull conscious paralysed and in severe pain.

Remove the lances and spears
Replace the blood loss with a transfusion
Give the bull back his pride
Now throw the Matador back in in to the ring 100% hero of the day THE BULL

Want to know what the bull was thinking (What did I do to deserve this)

To think a couple of hours before the Bullfight this bull was chewing the cud in fields of green.