Bullfighting: a Cherished Tradition in Acapulco, Mexico

Corrida de toros, tauromaquia, it means to fight the bull. Some people may view bullfighting as a brutal sport, dangerous for the performer and cruel to the animal. However, bullfighting is part of the cultures of many peoples, including Spain, Portugal, France and in Acapulco. Many of the Acapulco locals love the sport for its excitement and danger. First consider the origins of bullfighting.

Ancient bullfighting traces its origins back to prehistoric rituals involving animal worship and animal sacrifice. Whenever a designated person would kill a bull it represented an act of worship in the mysterious religion of Mithras. Whenever Roman soldiers were stationed, the bull was killed in an act of commemoration. In later times, bullfighting was also traced back to Rome, which was well known for its contests of man vs. beasts in the gladiator games. How did bullfighting come to be a part of Hispanic culture? Some speculate the Moors may have introduced the sport, whereas others credit Emperor Claudius for banning gladiator sports in favor of bullfighting. Eventually bullfighting spread from Spain to its colonies in Central and South America.

In more recent centuries, bullfighting has long been romanticized, as part of religious festivities or even weddings. Noblemen would ride the bull in order to win royal favor, and then people would gasp and applaud at every jump. As the art of bullfighting further developed in Spanish culture, more subtle changes were made, including fighting on foot and using capes. One of the most revered matadors in Spanish bullfighting was Juan Belmonte. His style of bullfighting was truly revolutionary and death defying, as he always managed to stay just a few inches away from the bull. His new style was later made the standard among matadors. 

Throughout history, there have been numerous attempts to ban or mitigate the sport of bullfighting. However, some matadors and their fans consider the sport an art form and argue the notion. How is bullfighting in Acapulco? It is alive and well and the Plaza de Toros features a traditional bullfighting ceremony, strongly steeped in Spanish and Mexican tradition. What is it like to be in Plaza de Toros and see a live bullfighting ceremony? The crowds are beyond enthusiastic and the lines quickly fill as tourists are ready for the full bullfighting experience —   dangerous, dazzling and daring. The roar of the crowd is deafening, the anger of the bull is palpable. It will take every ounce of skill for the matador to come out of this duel alive. (And that's no joke—some statistics say that at least 1 out of 10 matadors die on the job)

Bullfighting in Plaza de Toros takes place in early January through Easter. Know that you may be witnessing history in the making as many new matadors train in Acapulco before mastering their work and moving off to perform in Mexico City. If you're squeamish then the Plaza de Toros may be too intense. However, for locals and matador fans, bullfighting is an art alive and well in Acapulco.