corrida

Corrida is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe a public event, most commonly a bullfight, known as corrida de toros in Spanish and corrida de touros in Portuguese. In addition to bullfighting, corrida can also refer more generally to a run or race in some contexts, reflecting the original sense of movement or action.

The practice has its roots in medieval Iberia and became formalized as a spectacle in the early modern period, spreading to many Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking regions. It spread to parts of the Americas through colonial history and remains a cultural tradition in several countries, though its popularity and acceptance vary and debates about ethics and animal welfare persist.

A traditional bullfight typically unfolds in three stages, or tercios. In the first, a matador is assisted by picadors on horseback who weaken the bull with lances. In the second, banderilleros plant decorative barbed sticks to alternately tire and position the animal. In the final stage, the matador performs with a muleta (red cape) to demonstrate control, culminating in the estocada, a thrust intended to kill the bull. Variations exist, including the rejoneo, in which a horse-mounted fighter uses lances, and novilladas, featuring younger bulls.

Legal status and public opinion regarding corrida vary by country and region. It remains a valued cultural tradition in parts of Spain, Portugal, and Latin America, but it faces substantial opposition from animal-rights advocates and has been restricted or banned in some jurisdictions, reflecting ongoing ethical and regional differences.