Why do Spanish people have bullfighting?

Answer 1

It's just one of those things that has been around so long that it is a part of their culture now.

Bullfights also provide direct or indirect employment for thousands of people. It also brings considerable money to the country from tourist dollars.

Answer 2

The tradition of bullfighting is truly inexplicable to most people in a civilized culture. A bull is tortured and the intent is to kill it in front of spectators in order to inflate the ego and reputation of the 'bullfighter'. Who can possibly explain the sense of it? In my opinion there is none.

A bill banning bullfighting has passed its first hurdle in the Catalonia region of Spain where Barcelona is located. However, it is only a small region in the Northeast corner of Spain. If the bill passes it will be the second region to ban bullfighting. It was banned in the Canary Islands in 1991.

Bull fighting as practiced in Spain is called a spectacle and is considered an Art, not a sport.

It is a display of courage on the part of the Torero and the bull.

The ability of the Torero to make the bull do his bidding with nothing more than a cape is an art. The courage to plant his feet and make the bull charge the cape AND pass him exceptionally close is a display of courage, particularly in view of how tight his suit, is and how much it limits his range of motion and reactions.

I once watched a bullfighter position himself on his knees, with his right shoulder against the edge of the ring and wait for the bull to enter the ring. Before anything was done to weaken the bull he made 2 passes of the bull on his left side from this position without moving anything but his arm. He could not have avoided that bull to save his life. He displayed exceptional nerve AND control of a angry, perfectly healthy bull.

The courage of a bull (minimum of 460 kgs, 1012 lbs.) to continue to attack despite injury is noteworthy. Furthermore, if the bull has been especially brave and aggressive he is allowed to live. He is never fought again and is retired to become a breed bull.

Answer 3

It's just one of those things that has been around so long that it is a part of their culture now.

Bullfights also provide direct or indirect employment for thousands of people. It also brings considerable money to the country from tourist dollars.

However, some regions of Spain are becoming increasingly disinterested in bullfighting. Catalonia (northeast Spain) recently had a referendum which made bullfighting illegal in that area. (This was not shocking to most Spaniards, who were expecting this for a while.)

Answer 4

Bullfighting is as old as civilization itself. The first detailed description can be found in the Babylonian Epic of Gilgamesh, dating from 2100 BC, so over 4,000 years old. It turns out that bullfighting happened in almost exactly the same way then as now.

Spanish bullfighting is a tradition that goes back to at least 200 BC (so for over 2,200 years back) so it's really a part of their cultural heritage. It must be said that today, bullfighting has in many regions either been banned or turned into a less brutal spectacle that won't offend today's finer feelings. Spanish aficionados regard it as a 'noble' sport, an ultimate test of the animal's and the bullfighter's grit. The exact 'why' has gone down in the mists of time but the spectacle of men of warrior age showing their valor and strength against man or beast is as old as all history. In that same vein, the USA has its rodeo shows although there it's mostly the men who risk life and limb.

Answer 5

It is believed that a form of bullfighting was introduced to Spain during the reign of Roman Emperor Claudius nearly 2000 years ago. Over the centuries the practice evolved into what we know today. When the Spanish conquered and colonized an area they introduced the spectacle, especially in parts of the Americas.

Answer 6

Bullfighting is part of Spain's ancient heritage, dating back over 2000 years. It provides many jobs and brings in many tourist dollars to the economy.

Answer 7

As the Spanish Empire grew, the bullfight was introduced into newly conquered countries. That is how it came to Mexico and many countries in Central and South America.

Answer 8

Bullfights have been a part of the Spanish tradition for at least 2000 years. It is in the blood and soul of the people and will be nearly impossible to eliminate.