Last night we went to Campo Pequeno, Portugual's largest Bullfighting ring and one of the oldest in Iberia, which seats 8,500. Bullfighting was once the sport of Portuguese noblemen. Unlike in neighboring Spain, the bull is not killed (thank g--!). Much ceremony and pageantry attend the drama and the major actors are elegantly costumed cavaleiros, who charge the bull on horseback (video above), and maços de forçado, who grapple with the bull. Yes that's right - a man will charge the bull full force, on foot with no armor, trying to jump between the bulls horns on its head. The same man will keep trying until he gets on....for per say...a little joy ride!? Keep in mind, this is after the same bull has been speared by the horseman several times. The man charging must not fear the bulls strength nor its blood splatter. One will have to judge on their own whether they find this sport a form of art or animal cruelty. We have opted not to pass judgment, although the event spurred a mix of emotions that included joyous clapping accompanied with squinting of the eyes and a few groans.
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Thanks for that splash of exotic culture. Don't have many bull fights in Novato. I especially loved the trumpets. Great to get your pics and video, Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is Desda blogging- What a great time you are having already! Rachel's description of the bullfighting in Lisbon brought to mind the ancient Minoan art we saw in Crete with the beautiful young men and women vaulting bulls... and the worship of the sacred bull 3500 year ago you got to wonder if this sport goes all the way back to those times!
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