Blunting Cultural Horns
August 9th, 2007 by Anindita Sengupta
“Bullfighting is a dramatic ritual in which the death and suffering of life find their ultimate poetic expression.”
So says Pedrito, Portugal’s most famous matador, who had to pay a hefty fine of $137,000 when he ended one of his fights by killing the bull. This is because killing a bull is considered murder in Portugal and it was outlawed in 1928, unlike in Spain where this rather bloodthirsty sport originated. Pedrito’s case apparently sparked of a nationwide debate.
His supporters argue that a death-free struggle is a sacrilege because the culmination of a bullfight should reflect man’s ultimate triumph or defeat against the bull, while critics contend that Portugal must retain its civility and show humanity to animals.
One place that supports Pedrito is Barrancos, a bullfight-loving town near the Spanish border that persisted so stubbornly in encouraging the killing of bulls that the government relented in 2002 and gave it a dispensation from the ban.
Despite the conflict with animal rights and vigorous protests by some groups, bullfighting has prevailed because it is deeply entrenched in culture. The history of tauromachy goes as far back as 2000 BC. Bullfights were popular in Rome and an important part of life in the Iberian Peninsula. Many Spanish people feel that abolishing bullfighting would be an unforgivable interference with the country’s cultural traditions.
But the voices of dissent may be getting louder. TIME reports that two days from now, a pro-animal rights group Andalusian Collective Against Animal Mistreatment (CACMA, according to its Spanish initials), will stage the first demonstration ever in Malaga against bullfighting. The article goes on to say that according to a Gallup poll, only 8% of Spaniards consider themselves bullfighting fans but the grisly sport is popular in other parts of the world — Portugal and France of course, but also far-flung countries like China, Armenia and South Korea.
Meanwhile, animal rights groups in some countries are trying to do their little bit by exhorting people to boycott bullfights when they visit Spain, Portugal or France. The Irish Council Against Blood Sports is appealing to the humane side of tourists. It says:
Seeing a cut-up bull stumbling weakly around a bullring with blood spurting from its back and spraying from its mouth and nostrils is sure to leave a dark shadow across holiday memories. In fact, many who venture into bullrings out of curiosity leave in disgust as the animals are mercilessly killed before their eyes.
Shark Online, an animal rights group, has some seriously disturbing pictures on their website. Animal lovers are advised to steel themselves. The League Against Cruel Sports has launched “Boycott the Bloodbath”, a campaign against bullfighting and gives some very specific steps that people can follow. FAACE, an organization in the UK, tells you how you can help the animals through donations and other means.
This San Francisco Chronicle columnist says it with biting humour:
I don’t buy into that Hemingway-inspired mythology of bullfighting as metaphor for life one iota. It’s not graceful. It’s not artistic. And it’s certainly not sport. What it is, is torture of large animals for the amusement of smaller ones. Namely, people.
Therefore, I take great amusement in watching and reading about idiots in white judo pajamas and dashing red bandanas getting gored by bulls in Pamplona. Serves ‘em right. Go, bulls!
But right now, Pedrito’s sentiments seem to be on the winning side.
“Good bulls are noble: They humiliate the bullfighter and do not fear him,” he says. “When I kill a bull, I don’t think about it. It is just another movement in a bullfight, and this movement is to kill.
Cultural essential or abominable cruelty — what do you think?
August 9th, 2007 at 4:25 am
[…] “Bullfighting is a dramatic ritual in which the death and suffering of life find their ultimate poetic expression.” So says Pedrito , Portugal’s most famous matador, who had to pay a hefty fine of $137,000 when he ended one of his fights by… …more […]
August 9th, 2007 at 4:42 am
My dad took me to two bullfights in Tijuana Mexico when I was about 11 years old. I cried both times because I felt sorry for the bull.
Here in Spain there is growing protest but it will be difficult to outlaw because it’s such a deep part of the culture and history and considered by many to be an art form.
August 10th, 2007 at 5:37 am
Isn’ there enough sadistic cruelty in the world without creating a spectacle of cruelty and torture? Subsidised by unwilling tax payers too. Years ago christians were set to fight for their lives in the coliseum till they said “basta” enough. Isn’t it pathertic that in 2000 years we have hardly changed and yet we call ourselves ‘civilised’ - As this is a minority “sport” it is time the EU put the Spanish Govt on notice to clean up its act, and further more stop the spread of bullfighting into China and south east Asia.
It may be traditional, but how can it be called culure alongside great pieces of music and theatre - for that matter how can Eurrope allow Cordoba to become ‘city of cuture 2112′ right at the heart of such cruelty!!!!!!!!!!