Experience A Spanish Bullfight

Malaga is one of the more famous Spanish cities located in Andalusia which offers great bullfights. Bullfights are a tradition in Spain that has been engraved as the nation’s cultural heritage. It is certainly not for the weak hearted to witness the goring and bloodshed.

Tickets for a bullfight must be purchased early but they do not come cheap. The prices determine your seating allocation; in the shade or the sun. In the hot sun, the arena is brightly lit with its first bull soon skidding in out of its enclosure. The bulls prepared for such fights in the ring are normally specially bred to be about 600kg and aggressive as well as unpredictable.

The giant animal seemed intense on crashing out the wooden fencing that surrounds the ring, causing a spectacle to its audience who is ready for a spectacular show.

There are different opinions on bullfights; some have deemed it as cruel where the animal is usually handicapped by the matador for his victory; otherwise, it could be the matador’s malady to be gored or tossed into the air like a beanbag. Some may view bullfights as a sport like other viewing ballet or opera. But the media and the locals view it as a culture. Visitors must learn to appreciate the activity as such too.

There is a certain degree of cruelty imposed on the bull as it is pierced in the neck and heart in the finale. The “show” comprises three acts where horse-mounted picadors push pikes straight in the neck of the bull. The second act has “banderilleros” doing the same with colorful darts that are barbed.

Tired, bloodied and weak, the bull is at the mercy of the matador who, at this final “tercio” or “faena”, drives his sword into the bull’s heart. This act displays the matador’s boldness and graceful movements in conquering the bull.

The wounded or dead bull would be dragged out, leaving a trail of blood to the exit of the arena. Mixed feelings of awe and appall can overwhelm the spectator. Bullfights continue to be divisive amongst the locals.
It has since been banned in Catalonia.

For those who want to indulge in Spanish culture, bullfighting is a very good opportunity to imbibe the fullness of Spain; from its history to its traditions and culture. This is what differentiates Spain from other places. It is not about winning or losing, liking or disliking. It is the culture that makes the people.