Bullfighting as a Community Event

The Corrida is an Important Part of the Spanish Social Calendar

Aug 10, 2008

Commentators, whether aficionados or abolitionists, often miss the point when discussing bullfighting. It is as much an occasion for the audience as the participants.

Much of the literature devoted to the Corrida concentrates on the skills and professionalism of the toreros. Hemingway and James A. Michener certainly admired the courage, and skills, displayed in the ring and both attempted to explain the artistry involved. Spanish newspapers, by the way, invariably report bullfights in their cultural sections. It is never seen as a sport.

Hemingway was saddened by the often sleazy world that surrounds the participants, and amazed at the fortitude shown by men who travelled great distances between venues, trying to catch a little sleep in a car before facing their next pair of bulls. Michener thought that attendance at the fights was a constant, often fruitless, search for perfection.

Or I’ll Dress you in Mourning an important, though little known, book by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre concentrates on the life of Manuel Benítez, “El Cordobes.” Relating something of the hunger that directs many Spanish boys’ ambitions towards the toros it describes one man’s drive to gain recognition against adversity. Whilst explaining his huge, and enduring, popularity it is curiously devoid of any mention of the communal aspects of the Corrida itself.´

There are more than 70 bullrings in Andalucía alone but many pueblos and small towns stage Corridas of their own during their feria week, in temporary rings. As ferias are a time of celebration (often a week long party) locals living in other areas try to visit home for the festivities.

The audience, many in traditional dress, greet friends and relatives. There is much shaking of hands and kissing of cheeks. New additions to the family are introduced; the men hand round big cigars, and refreshments are bought from vendors, the money passing down the tiers of benches and the drinks returned by willing hands.

Paso Dobles

At a recent bullfight in Coín the mayor, Gabriel J. Clavijo Sanchez, officiated from the president’s box accompanied by the feria queen and her retinue of damas. The brass band which punctuated the different sections of the performance with enthusiastic, if not always skilful, paso dobles, was comprised of local musicians, many of them still of school age.

Audience participation is part of the fun. An enthsiastic crowd will insist on airing it´s opinions. White handkerchiefs are waved furiously to catch the president’s attention, after an especially good performance, to demand the award of an ear or tail. Originally, an ear signified that a certain amount of meat from the animal was earmarked for the bull fighter himself.

Audiences show their delight, or otherwise, when the torero parades around the ring after the kill. Fans, shawls, flowers and wineskins are thrown into his path to be gathered up by the peones in his retinue, and returned to their owners. Of course this particular paseo will be fast and cursory after a poor performance.

This remains a dangerous spectacle although bull fighters are not killed as often as in the past. This is not because the dangers are any less, but rather a tribute to penicillin. Many towns in Southern Spain have a street celebrating it´s discovery. Calle Doctor Fleming.

The copyright of the article Bullfighting as a Community Event in Spain Travel is owned by Michael Carroll. Permission to republish Bullfighting as a Community Event in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.