The Art of Bloodless Bullfighting, Portuguese Style
This is a style that originated in Portugal, and adjusted to accommodate the laws of the US.
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Unlike its sister-act the classical Spanish style bullfights, the Portuguese style bullfighting (Portuguese tourada, corrida de touros or tauromaquia) in Portugal, does not involve killing of the bulls in the arena, but a little bit of blood is drawn to slow the bull down.

Bloodless Bullifghting in California is Portuguese style. Artful and yet skillful, bloodless bullfighting evolved so that the Portuguese people can enjoy part of their heritage and culture in the United States.

The difference between bloodless bullfighting in California, and the bullfighting in Portugal is the "Velcro®" part. To keep this sport "bloodless", one inventive Portuguese came up with the idea of using "Velcro®". A big piece of Velcro® is placed on the back of the bull, while the other end is placed at the tip of the banderillas (Velcro® Tip Spear (VTS), a long stick/spear, with tassles or some kind of a decoration around it). This mechanism replaced the banderillas with the 3 inch nails used in the classic style bullfighting. A choice wisely made. In Portugal, they use the banderillas, but with a pointy edge to it.

The ceremony starts with all of the participants entering the arena, including the bandaleiros (helpers) and Pustals (bull herders). Here is the order of entrance during the ceremony, as well as the fundamentals of a Portuguese style bloodless bullfight:

First we have the Forcados (aka the Suicide Squad), 8 men who lines up in the middle of the arena to basically grab the bull while it's charging towards them. These men are very popular with the crowd and especially the ladies. The front man calls out to the bull, getting its attention to charge towards him, to perform a pega de cara or pega de caras (face catch). The front man secures himself on top of the animal's head and is quickly aided by his fellows who surround and secure the animal until he is subdued. Forcados were usually people from lower classes who, to this day, practice their art through amateur associations. Modern day Forcados range from students to professionals.

Then enters the Matadores (professional) / Novilleros (amateur), these guys are the ones wearing skin tight pants and a bollero type jacket called a "Suit of Light" along with pink socks. Respectable by all and the ladies fluster as they walk right pass them. Very similar to the Spanish matadores and most who come are from Mexico. A faena has 3 parts, including the muleta and the kill. In this case, there is no kill. Rather than using a sword, they use the banderilla. Alongside them are the Bandaleiros, these are their helpers while inside the arena. They are equally brave and knowledgeable as the Matadors, because they also have to watch their back when they are not looking. The Bandaleiros job is to strategically place the bull where the Matador or the Cavaleiro tells them to. They also distract the bull while the Matador or Cavaleiro position themselves in the arena.

Then comes Puastal(bull herders), the guys who brings the bull in and out of from the pen into the arena. These are the guys who work very closely with the Ganadero (bull breeder) and they also do most of the prepping of the bull before an event. Prep work consists of tying the leather wrap around the horns (for the Cavaleiros and Forcados), and cutting/filing the pointy tip of the horn for the Matadors. Then they place the Velcro® on top of the bulls back. This is not their day job. They range from students, farmers, and professionals.

Cavaleiros (men on horseback) - The show stopper and crowd pleaser, the Cavaleiros (rejoneos in Spanish style). They are the guys and/or gals that enter the ring with the beautiful horses, with an equalling star status of either Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. The Portuguese style costume in traditional 18th century clothing, while the Spanish style consists of a bolero and leather chaps. They perform on horseback with daring and technical movements. The horses are Portuguese Lusitanians, specially trained for the fights. These horses are usually skilled in dressage and exhibit their art in the arena. The Spaniards usually prefer the Andalusians. In modern days, it is acceptable and common to cross breed horses to perfect the performance of a horse. Other breeds include, Arabians, QuarterHorse, Aztecas, and Thoroughbreds, just to name a few. Horseback bullfighters are frequently members of old aristocratic families.

To prevent any of the participants and horses from getting serious injuries, the bulls' pointed horns are covered with a leather wrap for the Cavaleiros and Forcados performances. For Matadors, they cut and file down the horns to make it more blunt and less harmfull. It is to make it his fight a little bit more challenging and exciting.

The bulls are "fighting bulls". They are bred specifically for bullfighting. The bulls are also treated with respect and love. Just ask the Ganadarias (bull owners/breeders) who bring them to the fight. 15 minutes of fame and glory took at least 3 years for the bull to debut at an event. Due to the high intelligence of a bull, they can only be run once inside an arena. That's because every minute that they are in there, they are absorbing and learning the technique of what's going on. Good for the bull, but bad for the performer. That's why each entertainer must be quick and savvy to do what he needs to do. Otherwise, you may lose the interest of the bull and/or the audience. After the bull has done its deed, a group of cows brings him back in and he calls it a night. The future of the fighting bulls is usually retirement in the pasture to relax, graze, and/or breed and eventually to the slaughter house because it just happened to be his time. And NO, they are not killed immediately after a fight. It can take years before they meet destiny. If a certain bull does well and fit the mold of a good breeder, then he is used for breeding more of his strength.

Every year, each Ganadaria has a "Tienta", which is basically a mini-festa/bullfight. This is the time when the calfs and heifers are branded then a few are tested to see if they have what it takes to be a good fighting bull. Tientas is usually small and is sometimes an "invitation only" party.

The bloodless bullfights in California are held every year, with the season starting around April and ending mid-late October. It is usually held with the celebration of Festas (religious festivals). It is non-profit, and most proceeds, food, and time are donated by volunteers, committees, and festa members of the Portuguese community. Money collected at the gate for the bullfight pays for the performers along with other expenses. During the events, there's a Filarmonica (Portuguese band) that plays repertoires like a paso doble or a march. Portuguese food is cooked on-site and is readily available for consumption, along with fresh baked bread and Portuguese wine (imported or local). After a bullfight, the fun continues with more food, a DJ/Live band while you dance until 2 in the morning. Locations of these events are in Artesia (southern California), and throughout the Central Valley, and some parts of Northern California.

External links

Bloodless Bullfighting in California - Info, videos, images, schedules, etc.

California Bullfights - Schedule of Events