Consorcio de Turismo

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Bulls

Essential Vocabulary

Alguacilillos: There are normally two and they are in charge of enforcing the decisions made by the presidencia (those who control the bullfight – usually town officials) in the bullring. Their duties include heading the paseíllo de cuadrillas (entrance parade) on horseback, where the torero and his team parade into the ring at the start of a bullfight. They are in charge of picking up the keys to the toriles (from where the bull comes into the ring) and giving them to the toreros. They also observe the bullfight to ensure that the official government rules for bullfighting are adhered to and present the matadors with their trophies.

Banda de música: A group of musicians who add charm to the proceedings when the torero and his team parade at the beginning, during the breaks between bulls, and during the segundo tercio (the second act of the fight), when the matador sticks the bull with banderillas (75cm darts with colored paper and a barbed harpoon).They also play during the third act if the fight is exceedingly good. ‘La banda del Maestro Tejera', is in charge of such proceedings at the Maestranza bullring.

Banderilleros: The bullfighter's assistants or auxiliaries who form part of the team. They jump into the ring and stick up to three pairs of banderillas into the bull during the segundo tercio (second act) of the fight.

Burladero de cuadrillas: General headquarters for the matadors and their assistants and the true nerve center of the bullfight. This is where the highly important assistants to the matador called mozos de escuadra (the matador's sword handlers) are to be found.

Capote de brega: A small and light article very similar to a dress cape which is used by the torero to meet the bull on entrance to the ring. It is strong and firm and made of percale. It is light red on the outside and yellow on the inside.

Capote de paseo: Cape which forms part of the ‘suit of lights' sported by the matador during the entrance parade and after which can be seen decorating the fencing encircling the ring. These are made of satin and are finely embroidered with pictures of many colors.

Cartel: A giant poster announcing where and when the fight is to take place, the number of bulls to be fought, the denomination of origin of the bull breeding ranch they belong to and the names of the toreros or matadors taking part. The cartel is, by extension, also the name given to the list of matadors taking part in the in the bullfight.

Cogida: The moment in which the torero, due to error, an unfortunate accident or the unpredictable behavior of the bull, is struck by the beast and left totally at its mercy. The fate of the matador then depends on the quick reflexes of his assistants when carrying out the quites (passes to redirect the attention of the bull).
The cojida may result in major or minor injury, or even conjure the appearance of the shadow of death, demonstrating the risk involved and authenticity of the spectacle.

Estoque: Made from forged steel, this sword with a slightly curved end is used by the matador to kill the bull at the moment called la suerte suprema.

Muleta: A red flannel cloth about half a meter long which has a stick inserted. It is used during the faena de muleta in the last act of the fight.

Picador o varilarguero: A rider armed with a long lance, whose duty it is to inflict pain on the animal by sticking the tip of his lance into him up to three times, making him bleed and weakening him. He dresses in calzona (breeches), faja (sash), chaquetilla (jacket of the suit of lights), and castoreño (beaver hat).

Plaza de toros: The setting for the fight - generally circular- which includes the ring itself, the tendidos, (the first rows of seats directly behind the fence circling the ring) and boxes for the general public, as well as all the other facilities needed to carry out a bullfight (cattle-pens, patios, stalls to keep the bulls in immediately before their release into the ring, infirmary, etc). The Maestranza de Sevilla is one of the few arenas which is not completely circular. Founded in 1762, it is without doubt the most beautiful in Spain.

Presidente: The representative of the governing body who by means of waving different colored handkerchiefs has the power to give permission for the entrance parade to start, decide when each act should start or finish, grant awards to the matadors and the bull breeders, send the bull back to the cattle-pen or give him the honor of a lap of the ring after his death as a tribute to his ferocity and courage.

Público: The spectators who attend a bullfight and cheer or boo the performance of the matador or the decisions made by the presidente. They are spread around the arena in sol (sunny part of the arena) or sombre (the shaded part of the arena). The spectators should not leave their seats between bull and bull in order to ensure the continuity of the spectacle.

Rejoneo: A type of bullfight where the bull is fought from horseback The main objective is to stick the bull with three rejones or lances tipped with little harpoons, and to achieve this without any injury occurring to the horse. As the bull is fought at all times from horseback it allows us to appreciate the quality and mastery of the matador.

Ruedo: The ring. Normally circular and covered in albero (pipe clay), this is the area in which the bullfight takes place. The diameter should be between 45m and 60m. It is divided into three sections: the tablas, the tercio and the medios located in succession from the outer rim to the central part of the ring.

Sorteo: The drawing of lots. This takes place at mid-day in the cattle-pens of the bullring where the bullfight is to take place. It is here where it is decided which matadors will fight which bulls and the bulls are assigned their places in the chiqueros (stalls where the bulls await their entrance to the arena).

Toro de lidia: The drawing of lots. This takes place at mid-day in the cattle-pens of the bullring where the bullfight is to take place. It is here where it is decided which matadors will fight which bulls and the bulls are assigned their places in the chiqueros (stalls where the bulls await their entrance to the arena).

Traje de luces: The "suit of lights" worn by the bullfighter which comprises black slippers, pink stockings, taleguilla or calzon(matador's breeches), pañoleta (fichu) or bowtie, waistcoat, shirt jacket, montera (hat worn by the bullfighter and the banderilleros) and the cape for the entrance parade.

Trofeos: Awards conceded by the presidente to the matador for his work during the fight. These awards may be a lap of the ring, one or both the bulls ears, being carried from the ring on the shoulders of the public through the main gate and the bull's tail.

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