About bravos and cabrestos

Living in Portugal I´m getting familiar with some Portuguese customs like bullfighting, called touradas here. The truth is I prefer to see these magnificent animals in the countryside but I must say I´ve witnessed this activity occasionally.

There are touradas, corridas in Spain too. In fact, the Portuguese fondness for bulls derives from the neighboring country. However there are clear differences treating the touro. For example, in Portugal killing the animal in to the bullring is banned by law. Except Barcelos in the north of Portugal if I´m not wrong. In Spain the bullfighter kills the bull in full view of everyone.

Why do I tell you this? Because I´ve found out a common something that happens in touradas/corridas and the justice world. Pay attention.

Each celebration has three parts.

First. The bull is injured by a horseman with a spear several times according to the President who is comfortably sat in a box seat. The goal of this tercio is to weaken the animal.

Second. The bullfighter or the cavaleiro, on foot, utilizes a cloth —muleta— and he trays that the bravo charges against him. The more close the animal is from his body more dangerous and more courage the man has. The matador has to do all the faena showing a smile and watching the people!

Third. This part is also different in Portugal and Spain and I´ve already said why. In this tercio the activities of forcados are spectacular: they immobilize the beast with their own hands.

Nonetheless if the bull presents a snag and it´s not suitable to the bullfighting the things is the President orders that a group of cabrestos —they are castrated bulls— enter in to the bull ring, protecting the touro and all of them together quit the ruedo.

In Portugal, in Spain, in my country and, certainly, in yours —dear reader— the justice works this way sometimes: in order to leave free one bravo they use cabrestos to distract general attention.

From my Borstal.

LDR