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The regulations on bullfighting define in exacting detail the
structure and procedure of bullfighting in Spain.
Six bulls are selected and allocated in pairs
to three individual matadores (bullfighters). This takes place at
noon on the day of the fight.
The impresario (promotors) contracts matadores
who engage their own assistants. They dress in trajes de luces (suits
of lights) in hotels of the town during the day of the corrida (bullfight).
The bullfight begins in late afternoon, which
is why there are different prices for seats in or out of the sun.
Each matador and his team walk out together in ordered
procession across the arena, adding pomp and ceremony.
The president of the bullfight signals for the first
bull to be released whereupon the fanfare of trumpets from the brass
band also ends the pasodoble (popular two beat dance music).
The first bull is engaged by the first bullfighter's
team of assistants with large purple capes to see how it moves in
the plaza de toros (bullring).
In the next section, the president signals the entry of two picadores
(lancers on horseback), one of whom is to pierce the bull´s
neck in a limited way.
Then the first of three banderilleros (usually older
bullfighters who form part of the matador's team) individually run
towards the bull making him charge. Their job is to insert two banderillas
(decorated wooden sticks with spiked ends) over the horns into the
bull's neck muscle.
In the final section the torero (star matador)
engages the bull with his elegance and control, then exchanges the
purple and yellow capote (large cape) for the red muleta (smaller
cape) and curved sword. He might dedicate the bull to an individual
or the audience.
If he performs well and the bull is killed cleanly,
the audience will wave white handkerchiefs to try to oblige the
president to award an ear or two ears and tail to him.
If a matador is injured and has to leave the ring
to be attended by his surgeon or to hospital, then the remaining
matadores must kill the bull.
The bull's carcass is quickly removed, pulled out
of the arena by harnessed horses and then distributed for sale in
butchers' shops or local market.
When the sixth and last bull is dead, the matadors
and their teams cross the arena. Occasionally a matador may be carried
out of the arena through the main gates on the shoulders of his
fans. This is the ultimate accolade. They usually return quickly
to their hotels to change.
The newspapers may report the fight with photos
in the sports pages of the next day´s edition. League tables
of matadors are maintained each season based on the number of bulls
fought, ears awarded, and tails awarded.
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