Bullfighting

Bullfighting or tauromachy (Spanish toreo, corrida de toros or tauromaquia; Portuguese tourada, corrida de touros or tauromaquia) is a sport that involves, most of the time, professional performers (generally called in Spanish toreros or matadores) who execute various formal moves with the goal of appearing graceful and confident, while masterful over the bull itself; these maneuvers are performed at close range, concluding (in Spanish-style bullfighting) with the death of the bull by a well-placed sword thrust as the finale.

Where bullfighting is practiced

The controversial but in some regions popular spectacle is staged most famously in Spain (where there are over 400 arenas) but also in Portugal, some countries in Latin America (principally Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador), in California (bloodless) and in the south of France. Especially prominent bullrings are to be found at Madrid, Seville, Nîmes, Lisbon, and Mexico City. Around 30,000 bulls are killed each year in bullfights in Spain. In neighbouring Portugal, some 2,500 bulls are killed in about 300 fights annually. The limited supply of bull meat from bullfights is commonly sold and consumed. Several traditional dishes use bull meat as their basic ingredient, such as Rabo de toro ("Bull tail"), which is very popular in Andalucía.

Related Topics:
Controversial - Spain - Portugal - Latin America - Mexico - Peru - Colombia - Venezuela - Ecuador - California - France - Bullring - Madrid - Seville - Nîmes - Lisbon - Mexico City - Meat

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It was formerly practiced in Brazil and Morocco (Tangier's plaza de toros was long amongst the most prestigious) but has been banned in those countries, in Brazil because of humane concerns and in Morocco because of it being viewed as a symbol of colonialism.

Related Topics:
Brazil - Morocco - Tangier - Colonialism

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In Pamplona, the "San Fermín running of the bulls" or encierro, the ritualized stampede through the streets, has overshadowed the corrida itself; the event is dedicated to the patron saint of Navarre, Saint Fermin. A similar activity, Jallikattu, takes place annually in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.

Related Topics:
Pamplona - San Fermín running of the bulls - Navarre - Saint Fermin - Jallikattu - Tamil Nadu - India

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Fujairah, one of the Emirates that makes up the United Arab Emirates and Artvin Province in Turkey have their long, quite separate histories of fights among bulls.

Related Topics:
Fujairah - United Arab Emirates - Artvin Province - Turkey

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