| When the Spanish arrived in the Yucatan they | | | | exchanges his cape and wooden sword for a |
| brought many of their traditions. One of these | | | | smaller red muleta and a steel sword, the espalda. |
| was the bullfight, or La Corrida, which has | | | | The Torero thrusts the espalda between the bull's |
| remained popular to this day. There are three | | | | shoulder blades and into its heart for a quick |
| major bullrings or plazas de toros in the Yucatan, | | | | death. |
| one located in Cancun, one in Merida and the | | | | During a bullfight, you will hear the crowd cheer |
| other in Motul, with additional temporary arenas in | | | | and applaud valiant or well-executed maneuvers |
| smaller towns on any given weekend. | | | | by man or bull. You may also hear boos, taunts |
| La Corrida evolved from the rituals of ancient | | | | and whistling when the crowd is not pleased. At |
| animal sacrifice featuring bulls, a symbol of virility. | | | | the end of a fight, some might wave white rags |
| The earliest accounts can be found in the writings | | | | signifying that the Torero should be awarded one |
| of Plato in his tale of Atlantis. In Spain, these | | | | or two of the bull's ears, and perhaps even a tail. |
| rituals developed into a training regimen for | | | | The bull, too, may be awarded, either with a |
| medieval combat. A public display of bullfighting | | | | dignified procession of its body from the ring |
| was usually associated with a saint's feast day, or | | | | (arrastre lento) or by a pardon (indulti). On most |
| fiesta, when an entire town expected to be | | | | occasions, however, the bull is killed and its body |
| entertained and fed. The local rancher or | | | | is taken from the ring, quickly skinned, quartered |
| ganadero provided bulls, the aristocratic cavaliers | | | | and sent to market as beef. |
| demonstrated the art of combat, and the local | | | | La Corrida is not for everybody. We neither |
| villagers lent their cheer and appetites. | | | | endorse nor condemn this tradition, as it is simply |
| Today, La Corrida is usually held on a Sunday | | | | a distinct part of our Spanish heritage. But before |
| afternoon. Three bullfighters or Toreros, or | | | | you attend your first bullfight, you should ask |
| Matadores, fight two bulls each for a total of six | | | | yourself if you would travel in a time machine to |
| bulls. Each bullfight is divided into three acts called | | | | witness similar spectacles, such as a medieval |
| terceros. | | | | jousting contest in England or a ritual Mayan |
| In the first tercero, the bull is released into the | | | | sacrifice at Chichen Itza. |
| ring where the Peones or assistants, under the | | | | Bullfighting season is generally during the winter |
| direction of the Torero, use their capes to test | | | | months, from approximately November through |
| the bull's behavior. The Torero then calls for the | | | | March or April. For the best experience, try to |
| Picadores, two men with lances on armored | | | | attend a bullfight with a well-known matador. |
| horses who weaken the bull by piercing its back | | | | Matadors from Spain, Mexico City and all over the |
| between the shoulder blades. This is done to | | | | world will occasionally perform even in small |
| make the bull safer to approach and to allow for | | | | venues like Merida. Advertisements can be found |
| a quicker kill in the final tercero. | | | | on posters around town, usually on corners in the |
| In the second tercero, the Torero calls for the | | | | historical center of Merida. And tickets are sold |
| Banderillos. These three men approach on foot, | | | | either at the bullring itself, or in some of the |
| often imitating the behavior of bulls. Each Banderillo | | | | restaurants or hotels closest to the Plaza Grande |
| decorates the bull with two hook-tipped spears | | | | in the center of town. |
| wrapped in brightly colored ribbons. | | | | You will pay between $15 and $50 dollars U.S. for |
| During the final tercero, the Torero uses his | | | | tickets to attend La Corrida in Merida or Motul, |
| yellow and pink cape and a wooden sword to | | | | and slightly more in Cancun. If you want less |
| work closely with the bull in a series of moves like | | | | expensive tickets, specify sol seating, which |
| a dance. You will hear the crowd shout "ole!" when | | | | means on the sunny side of the arena, but be |
| the bull passes particularly close to the Torero. | | | | sure to bring a hat. The sombra seats, which are |
| This is the most elegant and refined part of the | | | | in the shade, are more expensive. It is customary |
| bullfight and is the subject of much art, song and | | | | to bring a cushion, a bota bag of red wine and a |
| literature, such as Hemingway's Death in the | | | | white rag. It is also a good idea to bring bottled |
| Afternoon. | | | | water. Beer and other refreshments are sold at |
| When the Torero senses that the bull is tired, he | | | | these events as well. |