The Catalan Parliament in Spain has recently voted to ban bullfighting, the best known but most controversial of Spanish customs (apart from Goat Throwing). With this, Catalonia has become the first region in mainland Spain to outlaw this centuries-old tradition. The Canary Islands banned the blood sport in 1991.
Bullfighting, which is still referred as a “national fiesta” (fiesta nacional) in Spain is soon going to be history, at least in Catalonia. As proclaimed by the lawmakers, it will come to an end as of Jan 1st, 2012. While it was all cheers for animal rights activists, the move angered traditionalists, who have been championing the idea of preserving the custom.
Nevertheless, the debate is still on as to whether or not the Spanish government should come up with a national law banning this blood-soaked pageant in its entirety. According to many, although the Catalonias 135-seat legislature banned it with 68 votes in favour and 55 against, this is not the end of bullfighting in Spain.
Bullfighting in Spain is deep-rooted in its culture and over the years neither the practice nor the number of supporters has seen any kind of decrease. The kind of bloodthirsty fighting between man and animal draws more attention from the crowd and hence its popularity.
As far as the effect of this ban is concerned, it will be on the minds of people in general and may even encourage other regional authorities to come up with similar verdicts. On the other hand, another argument links this to regional identity (Catalan nationalist movement) and hence political weight.
Whatever the reason, the general perspective only suggests an extensive ban and hence effort by the lawmakers of all democratic parliaments, nationally and internationally, to ban bullfighting for all.
Some believe that aside Barcelona, there is no other major town or city in Catalonia that boasts bullfighting culture, and moreover being a mercantile city, it was quite easy for Catalonia to gain more votes in favour of the ban in a closely fought battle. In the coming days, it is certain that the battle between supporters and opponents will continue at the same pace.
This traditional spectacle of Spain has origins recorded historically in many countries and culture. Spanish bullfighting dates back to pre-historic times, which is now substantiated through cave paintings throughout Spain.
However, records indicate that Spanish bullfighting first came into practice by nobility: the Knights, Moors and Christians, as respite from killing each other at the time of Spanish War of Reconquest (711-1492 A.D.).
Spanish Bullfighting: Tradition Vs Animal Cruelty
It is believed that noblemen found the Iberian bull suitable to showcase their bravery due to the fight back ability of the bull. Spanish matadors like Francisco Romero popularised modern bullfighting in 18th century which is later caught attention in those huge bullrings constructed in different cities of Spain.
Campaigners term it as a historic victory and animal right activists and anti-bullfighting campaigners lauded the verdict of the Catalan Parliament as historic and see it as the end of bullfighting in Spain. However, there is certainly a long way to go considering the prevalence of this barbaric practice in regions of Andalucia and Madrid.
Bullfighting or any such practice can never be associated with cultural heritage of any country. Furthermore, animal rights movements assert that the pronouncement by Catalonia should not be seen as anything to do with nationalist politics or breakup of the Spanish state. It is just a gesture and acknowledgment in support of animal welfare and so the ban of Spanish bullfighting.
