Bull-fighting is a barbaric and cruel diversion, a favourite of the Spaniards. They are usually held in an amphitheatre having circular seats rising one above another, and are attended by vast crowds who eagerly pay for admission. The combatants, who make bullfighting their profession, march into the arena in procession. They are of various kinds - the picadores, combatants on horseback, in the old Spanish knightly garb; the chulos or banderilleros, combatants on foot, in gay dresses, with coloured cloaks or banners; and lastly, the matador (the killer).
As soon as the signal is given the unfortunate bull is let into the arena. The picadores, who have stationed themselves near him, commence the attack with their lances, and the bull is thus goaded to fury and fear. Sometimes a horse is wounded or killed, and the rider is obliged to run for his life. The chulos assist the horsemen by drawing the attention of the bull with their cloaks; and in case of danger they save themselves by leaping over the wooden fence which surrounds the arena. The banderilleros then come into play. They try to fasten on the bull their banderillas - barbed darts ornamented with coloured paper, and often having squibs or crackers attached. These barbed darts weaken the bull's neckmuscles making him less dangerous, and cause him to bleed, also weakening the now terrified beast. If they succeed, the squibs are discharged, and the bull races madly about the arena in terror. The matador or espada now comes in arrogantly with a naked sword, and a red flag to decoy the bull with, and aims a fatal blow at the animal, stabbing him behind the head and cutting the spine. The slaughtered bull is dragged away, and another unfortunate beast is let out from the stall. Several bulls are so cruelly disposed of in a single day for the pleasure of the cruel and senseless crowd. Research Bull-Fighting
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Research Bull-Fighting
