Cruelty Based Traditions In Spain

Cruelty Based Traditions
Spain is a country known for its lively celebrations and bull fighting has always been seen as a central part of their celebrations. It is a mixture of theatre, ballet, and ritual that has always been a significant part of their culture because it is an old practice. Matadors are seen as heroes for their courage they have by taking on a bull. (Humphrey, 42)However, to a lot of people in modern society, especially outsiders to Spaniard and other similar countries culture, it is viewed as an unethical blood sport to some. It is an activity that has been carried on in many countries, however most prominent in Spain. Throughout the recent years it has been banned across certain countries for its negative aspects such as
Some view it as a tradition and a part of their Spanish culture, because it has been practiced for so long. However, the debate is should a tradition be continued if it’s unethical and is harmful to animals? Bull fighting in Spain is known as “corrida de toros.” There are three stages that are 15 minutes. The first picadors jab at the bulls with long spears. Secondly, banderillos come out and they stab banderillos into the bull in hopes of getting it angry. Lastly, the matador enters the ring to battle the bull after this whole process. (Humphrey, 44) This spectacle takes place in an arena called, “Plaza de toros.” After the whole event, usually the bull is killed but at times their lives are spared. About 10,000 bulls die every year because of this sport. In the 11th century, the Moors introduced bull fighting to the Spaniards. They would fight bulls as they sat on top of horses and then kill them with javelins. This is how they once went about the practice, until it was modified by famous bull fighter Francisco Romero. He was the first to fight a bull in 1726 on foot. A lot of countries have modified the sport differently, for instance in Portugal it is illegal for the bull to be killed and they ride the horse on its back. (“Bullfighting”). Despite this, the sport is still cruel because the bulls are still subject to be poked by spears and tormented by the banderillos , matadors , and other participants in
The today’s society, a popular opinion is that this sport is too barbaric and cruel to be continued on. The bull fighting bulls are bred for the pure purpose of entering the arena and fighting against the matadors. A lot of people that are unfamiliar with this sport would be surprised to know that bulls are not the only ones harmed in this sport. According to Bullfighting: The Facts, horses are sometimes gored so badly by bulls that they must be put down. The bull gores the horse that the man runs on and the horse is the one that is subject to majority of the pain. What the bull doesn’t realize is that much like him, he is being forced to partake in this sport as well. Bullfighting: The Facts tells us of the inhumane practices animals have to go through, such as in the event they place wet newspaper into the horse’s ears, they blindfold them and also have their vocal cords cut so they cannot scream. According to Bullfighting-free Europe this sport has been banned in Argentina, Canada, Cuba, the UK, and many other countries. The only nine countries that continue to practice this sport are Spain, Portugal, France, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, and India. However, just because this sport is allowed doesn’t mean everyone entirely agrees with it. For an example, the Canary Islands and Catalonia in Spain have banned this sport. Valencia and the Balearic Islands have been considering banned bull fighting as of late as well