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Local bullfighting (Camargue), is a major spectacle
in this area, its origins go back to ancient Crete.
It is thought to be the modern expression of the
games which, in ancient times, allowed the young
men of Crete to show their virility. Then, their
manliness was expressed by catching wild bulls.
Sometimes this show of force ended with a sacrifice
to the gods.
Since Antiquity, the cult of the bull has been
strongly fixed in the Rhône Delta and surrounding
area. The Camargue bull, whose horns are lyre-shaped,
is smaller than his Spanish cousin, is very lively
and is the main element of this local passion. Bulls
are omnipresent. Many festivities begin or end by
an abrivado*,
un encierro*
or a local bullfight, as here the bull is king.
These bull games which previously took place in
the courtyards of the farm houses, today in the
arenas, are the living expression of the identity
of our region, filled with emotions and sensations
which we invite you to share.
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Bullfighting
Season: From March
to November
Principal
types of Camargue bullfights:
La
Royale : the 6 best
bulls from one sole ranch
Le
concours de Manades : bulls
from several ranches
La
course de Taù : Non
castrated bulls
La
course de vaches cocardières
: cows only
La
Course de Protection :
young bulls and beginner bullfighters.
Course
of events :
The place : the arenas.
The bullfight : 6 bulls, ¼
hour each.
The time : in the afternoon.
What happens :
Before
the bullfight,
the capelado*,
procession of bullfighters
After the bullfight, sometimes a
young cow for youngsters and beginner
bullfighters, then the bandido*
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During
the bullfight : 15
minutes for each bull
1-
First long trumpet call to announce
the bull’s arrival
2-
The bull comes into the arena and
seeks “his camp”, a
place in the arena where he can
defend himself ( in general, an
angle)
The Presiding Group sitting opposite
or above the bull’s entrance
(toril), consisting of a President
and 2 Judges, make sure the rules
are respected, give out the names
of the bulls, of the ranches and
also the prize money rewarding the
removal of the “attributes”.
In the case of a “Concours
de Manades”, the cocardier*
sometimes carries the colours of
the ranch around his neck.
3-
Second short trumpet call, for the
raseteurs*
to begin provoking the bull.
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4- Le raset :
Stage
1 : The «
turner », who used to be a
« raseteur », waves
his arms and shouts to attract the
attention of the bull and get him
into position which allows the «
raseteur » to act.
Stage 2 :
The “raseteur” sets
off and the bull begins his charge.
Stage 3 :
The bull and the “raseteur”
meet; this is when the”raset”
takes place, using his hook the”raseteur”
attempts to remove the attributs*
(first, the cockade, then the tassels
and finally, the first and second
strings).
Stage 4 :
The man runs to the surrounding
fence. A good bull will follow him
and even bang into the obstacle
of the fence, this is appreciated
and saluted by music from the overture
to “Carmen”.
Stage
5 –
Third trumpet call : After
15 minutes, the bull returns to
the Toril with or without his “attributes”.
If
the bull refuses to re-enter the
Toril, the simbeu*
(the herd leader) comes out and
normally the bull then follows the
leader back into the Toril. If the
bull does not follow, a gardian*
uses his trident to make him do
so..
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 The
oldest mention of a Camargue bullfight dates back to 1402,
when a bullfight took place in Arles in honour of Louis
II, Count of Anjou, father of King René.
Originally, the fight was a “bull game” where
all sorts of animals (lions, dogs, bears…) and farm
workers faced and fought the bull. In the late 19th century,
these violent games were modified to become a joust between
man and the animal, the aim being to remove the “attributes”
fixed between the horns of the bull.
With the passage of time, these games were codified and
officialized. In our area, they developed into the Camargue
bullfight (facing the bull with bare hands) and in Spain,
the corrida (ritual sacrifice).
Today, the Camargue bullfight is a strong regional traditional
spectacle. It is also a sport, and has been recognized
as such by the Fédération Française
de la Course Camarguaise.
The game consists of removing the “attributes”
placed on the horns of the bull, according to the rules.
Strict rules govern the place, the men and the special
bulls.
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: Fédération Française de la Course Camarguaise
“Petite Initiation aux Traditions Camarguaises” |
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