Bullfighting in Mexico at Ten

Bullfighting in Mexico

At ten minutes before 4 p.m. local time on Sunday afternoon, matadors in bullrings all over Spain and Mexico kneel in arena chapels and to La Virgen de la Macarena to protect them, then at exactly 4 p.m. A bugle sounds and the matadors go forth to meet their destiny. A gate swings open moments later and a two-thousand pound bull bred to kill charges into the arena as the matadors stare either straight ahead or down at the ground, many continuing to pray silently. Preceding the matadors and the banderillos, are the picadors on padded horses, lances pointing skyward, and as they draw close to the barrear, they tip their hats to the dignitaries, then slide behind the shoulder-high protective barricades that shield them from the arena. The matadors confer with their managers while swinging their capes to test the wind, and the banderilleros, who will be the first to test the bull, move to the opposite side of the ring and wait with the senior matador for the first bull. When the bull enters, the capeadores wave their capes at him in an effort to incite a charge, however they must never pass the bull, that is for the matador only. Having watch how the bull charges, the matador enters the ring and the corrida begins.

William Beezley demonstrates the cultural evolution in Mexico by using sporting events and activities to show how the society changed from an agricultural economy in the early 1800's to one of industrial in the 1900's. According to Beezley, the adoption of various sports reflect the developmental stages and attitudes of the separate sectors of society, as each sport was adapted to blend into the local customs.

Bullfighting was introduced to the Mexican culture by the Spanish during the 1500's, and has not only become a national symbol of Mexican society, but has come to reflect the social structure of the country as well, regarding seating and program structure. The social elite and foreigners are generally dressed in modern fashions of foreign origin and sit in the shade of the grandstand, while the lower class audience are dressed in more traditional fashion and sit in the sunny areas. This order was established by the middle of the nineteenth century, during which time the country was being ruled by a succession of powerful dictators who often presided over the ceremonies, awarding matadors for exceptional performances and/or allowing certain bulls to live if they had shown particular bravery. The hierarchy of president, matador, banderilleros, picadores, elite spectators and the common masses, all demonstrate the necessary dependence of each group to ensure a successful conclusion.

Mexicans view bullfighting as an exciting display of skill and bravery, and regard it as a celebration of traditional cultural ideals concerning machismo.

Bullfights, called "Corrida de Toros" in Mexico, generally begin on December 25th and continue every Sunday until April. At each bullfighting event, six bulls are fought by three matadors, and the spectacle begins with a trumpet blast which precedes the entrance of the bull.

The bullfight is divided into three stages called tercios, each of which are separated by horn signals. During the first stage, the bullfighter uses a large purple and yellow cape to display the bull to the crowd and to asses its strength, then the picadores enter and lance the back of the bull with steel tipped long pikes that penetrate the bull some four inches to test its strength and to weaken it. During the next stage, called La Suerte de Banderillas, three banderilleros attempt to stick a pair of darts into the attacking bull's back in order to further weaken it.

During the final stage, the matador enters the ring and leads the bull around the ring with a small red cape, all the while dodging and taunting the bull to show the spectators his power and courage. After this display of showmanship, the matador attempts to bring the bull to a strategic spot in the arena where he will deliver the "estocada," the killing sword thrust, into the bull's neck, and if properly done, the sword severs the aorta and the bull dies instantly. At this point the bullfight ends and trophies are awarded to the matador, depending on his bravery and skill.

Today, bullfighting is on the decline in Mexico. Leonardo Paez, one of La Jornada's bullfight critics, says, "You don't have a good spectacle, neither brave bulls nor good bullfighters...The spirit of the epoch is not heroism." Jose Chafik Hamdan, co-breeder of the Miaja bulls, which are among Mexico's most highly regarded, exclaims, "It is inconceivable." When Plaza Mexico opened in 1946 it never failed to sell out, however now with rival attractions such as television and shopping malls, bullfighting is struggling.