bullfight
Matador's main event
A bullfight is a public spectacle, traditional in Spain and Latin America, in which a matador confronts and ultimately kills a bull in an arena.
The event follows ritualized stages, with the matador using a cape to provoke charges before delivering a final sword thrust.
Supporters consider it art and cultural heritage; opponents condemn it as animal cruelty.
We watched a bullfight in Madrid.
Bullfight's fatal sword wielder
- toreroSpanish arena combatant
- toreadorSpanish bullfight participant
- picadorMounted bullfight lancer
- banderilleroDart-placing bullfight participant
Cost or accusation
Cloth on stick
matador
Bullfight's fatal sword wielder
corrida
Formal Spanish bull contest
- dehesaIberian oak-grazed parkland
corrida
Formal Spanish bull contest
charge
Cost or accusation
muleta
Cloth on stick
traje de luces
Embroidered bullfighting attire
- machosAggressively prideful men
pageantry
Elaborate ceremonial display
ovation · silencio · aficionado · cartel · feria
- combatbattle, combat, unarmed combat, grappling, close combat
- Bullsbulldog, bulletin, bullhorn, bullring, bullseye
- fightsbrawl, scuffle, scrap, tussle, fistfight
- San FerminPamplona, running of the bulls, bulls, fiesta, white clothing
- Spanish traditionsflamenco, siesta, fiestas, tapas, feria
- cultural traditionsflamenco, tango, kabuki, hula, capoeira
bullfightanimal liberation
Advocacy ending species exploitation
animal welfare · animal rights activism · animal protection · wildlife refuge · wildlife rescue
bullfightballet
Classical dance on pointe
circus · theater · concert · opera · figure skating
bullfightdog show
Competitive canine exhibition
horse show · dressage · wildlife documentary · petting zoo · circus
- Spanish bullfightingRitualized bovine combat sport