3.
In 1500BC a cave painting of
bullfighting similar to the modern
way of fighting was found.
Bullfighting was popular in Rome,
but developed the most on the
Iberian Peninsula.
Bullfighting originated in Spain.
4.
Children begin training as young as 6 years
old.
Children begin as becerristas, which means
‘calf-fighter’.
According to trainers, for every thousand
children who begin training, only one will
actually become a professional.
5.
Bullfighting costumes are very flashy. They
even contain real silver and gold!
The costumes are based off 18th century
Castilian dandies clothing.
The most important part of the costume is the
cape, used in the bullfighting ‘dance’.
The outfits are known as trajes de luces (“suits of
lights”)
No more than 6 tailors in Spain make
bullfighting outfits.
6.
7.
8.
Bullfighting is a ritual with 3 stages.
First a group confronts the bull.
The matador takes over to find the bulls
weakness.
Two picadores enter on horses and the
matador instructs them to repeatedly stab the
bull in the neck.
In the end, the matador is left alone and does
the dangerous ‘dance’ (the part with the cape)
9.
Bullfighting is traditionally supposed to
provide a bull sacrifice for humanities salvation.
Bullfighting is a ritual for good luck.
All 3 distinct religions of Spain are included in
bullfighting.
Fights would traditionally take place after mass
so everyone could participate by watching.
Bulls were important mythological symbols,
seen as a kind of god.
10.
Here is a video of bullfighting. This will give
you an idea of what a bullfight would look like.
Bullfighting video
