I understand that every culture has different customs, beliefs, and traditions. While I am in Spain I want to do as much as I can to experience Spanish culture but attending a bull fight is an experience I am definitely not down with having. I just can’t find the just in taunting and then slowly slaughtering an animal for enjoyment. Since I was young I always loved animals and I remember at a young age making posters to stop animal cruelty and begging my mom to let me post my posters and their poor spelling and grammar around the neighbourhood. I even remember at the age of 7 forming “H.E.S.L” with a friend, which stood for help endangered species live. Now, H.E.S.L didn’t become a huge corporation or anything, but I just remember always feeling so strong about animal rights. I became a vegetarian almost ten years ago, as a personal choice, but by no means am I the type of vegetarian to preach my beliefs on others. I understand that having meat as a part of your diet is just a part of “the circle of life” and I know it is healthy to have the protein. I just think if an animal is going to be killed, it should be done humanely and then the meat should be used. Even though I am completely against this certain Spanish tradition I thought I’d talk a little bit about bull fighting since it is so import to Spanish culture.
Bull fighting is a major part of Spanish culture. Every city I have visited here, including Murcia, has a Plaza de Toros, which is where the bullfighting takes place. Usually 6 bulls are killed during one “show” and it is the matador that is doing the killings. First the matador’s assistant waves a yellow and pink cape get the attention of the bull, while the matador observes the bull’s nature. Next, when the matador is ready, numerous fighters (picadors) enter and begin to throw spears into the bull’s back. When the bull is weakened, 10-15 minutes of torture later, the matador enters the ring. The matador then taunts the bull with his cape (muleta), which weakens and slows down the bull even more. When the bull is finally at its weakest state the matador brings out his sword (espada). He distracts the bull with his cape and when the bull is not looking he stabs him in between the shoulders with his sword. If the bull does not die instantly, the matador is also armed with a tool called a descabello that he uses to stab the bull in the neck which is supposed to sever its spinal cord and cause death. So, I don’t see how this is at all entertaining, but it is very important to the Spanish people. Matadors are considered brave heroes and are highly honoured in Spain’s society. Personally, I think the bull is obviously the one with more talent and bravery here. From what I have read, it sounds like the matador barely does any work. First of all, there are like six men who throw spears at the bull for about fifteen minutes. So what I’m thinking is this bull has been speared at least a hundred times, probably more, before the matador even gets up off his seat. So, after being speared a good hundred times the bull gets tired and is obviously in a lot of pain, then gets taunted by the matador and stabbed to death? I don’t see any skill or bravery in this tradition what so ever. I would like to see how the matador performs after being speared for fifteen minutes. The only feelings I have towards this tradition is frustration, sadness, and disgust.
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