bullfighting

Bullfighting, or tauromaquia, is a traditional spectacle in which a torero faces and attempts to subdue a bull inside a bullring. In the prevailing Spanish form, the fight ends with the bull's death, though some regional variants do not kill the animal. Bulls are typically from the toro bravo breed and bred for aggressiveness and endurance.

The practice is most closely associated with Spain and Portugal, with historical roots in other Iberian regions and in parts of Latin America, including Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Venezuela. In Spain, bullfighting is organized around a triptych of stages called tercios: tercio de varas (lances from horsemen), tercio de banderillas (placing barbed sticks into the bull's shoulders), and la muerte (the killing stroke by the matador using a sword). The matador wears a cape (capote) and a smaller red cloak (muleta) to manipulate the bull's pace and movements. The team also includes picadores on horseback and banderilleros; the performance concludes with the trophies awarded by the presiding official, typically one or two ears, and occasionally the tail.

Origins of the modern form trace to 18th‑century Spain, consolidating earlier rural shows into a codified spectacle. The practice remains controversial and subject to ethical debate; animal welfare concerns have led to bans or restrictions in some regions and municipalities, while supporters view it as cultural heritage and a test of artistry and courage.

As of the present, bullfighting continues in several countries under regulated conditions, with varying degrees of tolerance and restrictions, and with bans in some areas such as Catalonia.