Bullfighting is a traditional form of entertainment that involves a bullfighter taunting and stabbing a bull to death. The activity is popular in Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, and has its origins in ancient religious customs. Bullfighters, also known as matadors or toreros, are known for their bravery and skill among fans of the sport. Bullfighting, according to critics, is the torture and killing of an animal for entertainment, and bullfighters are widely regarded as animal abusers.
There are several different types of toreros in traditional bullfights. Picadors stab the bull with a lance or spear in order to enrage and weaken it. A banderillero rides close to the animal and stabs it with barbed stakes, which are often topped with colorful flags. The final bullfighter is brought out to finish the killing after the bull has lost enough blood and become enraged.
The matador, the final bullfighter, usually wears a colorful uniform consisting of shorts, a white shirt, and a heavily decorated jacket. Many also wear a red cloak and wear a traditional cap. In traditional bullfights in Spain and Portugal, the matador’s uniform is especially important, though less formal events in other countries may use different costumes.
The matador fights on foot, armed only with a sword and a cape. The brightly colored cape is used to entice the bull to charge, allowing the matador to show off his athleticism and skill dodging the bull. The matador then stabs the already-injured bull to death after the charges have exhausted it sufficiently. The final stroke is supposed to go straight into the bull’s heart, killing it instantly and painlessly, according to proponents.
Matadors are frequently promoted from the ranks of picadors and banderilleros, where they gain experience taunting and killing younger, weaker bulls. An aspiring bullfighter must pass a special test after completing their training. The bullfighter is referred to as a matador after passing the test.
A bullfighter puts his or her life on the line in a profession that many people regard as brave or heroic. Detractors argue that while killing a maimed and exhausted animal may lack the glory associated with the act, the bullfighter does risk his or her life in the process. Matadors are often regarded as brave, cool, and fearless in cultures where bullfighting is popular.
Bullfighters have been almost exclusively male since the beginning of the sport. A few women did pass the tests to become full-fledged bullfighters in the latter half of the twentieth century, but they were met with widespread ridicule and criticism. Female bullfighters have become a symbol for feminist movements all over Latin America. Cristina Sanchez, a matadora who had a successful career in the ring, is frequently cited as a poster-child for female empowerment.