Photo by Time
The obvious answer to many would, be a definite yes, however in Mexico tradition often out ways, ones obvious reasoning.
In the latest issue of Time, the article, In the Ring with The World's Youngest Bull Fighter, covered a story on child matadors, in Mexico. For ten year old Rafita Mirabal, who began preforming when he was only 8, preforming the corrida, bullfighting is a daily job, for he is highly sought after in his native Mexico. Rafita and a few other child matadors, or toreros, have actually brought a reemergence in the sport. 'the fashion for young bullfighters in Latin America started in the 1990s, but is thought to have taken off in 1997 with the arrival in Mexico of one of Spain's biggest matadors, Julian Lopez Escobar, or “El Juli”. He was just 14.’ (Goring of 14-year-old exposes child toreros’ perilous lives)
Many in the country have been embattled in a heated debate as to whether the sport is part of Mexican heritage, or an inhumane and ‘barbaric’ sport, that has no place for children. The debate grew stronger when on April 17th a 14 year old matador in Mexico was ‘gored by a 900 pound bull . “The bull's horn pierced his chest, opening a 3in (8cm) gash and carrying him through the air for more than 10ft.” (Bullfighting in dock after 14-year-old matador is badly gored). The injured matador was, Jairo Miguel Sanchez of Spain, once known as the youngest, when he started bull fighting at the age of 8, he has been competing since he was 12. Jairo is now recovering with his family after his near fatal injury.
While the debates rage on Rafita Mirabal is looking forward to the day when he will kill his first bull in the fight, his courage already outweighing his age and size. In Spain the minimum age for a matador is 16, and 18 to kill a bull, Jairo Sanchez has already killed over 1,000 bulls in Mexico. In France and California, a non-lethal form of bull fighting is allowed, while other countries favor the art of killing the bull and all of its precision. In bullfighting schools one learns how to kill the bull with one stroke of a blade, and a crowd may disfavor a fighter who takes two attempts with his sword. In Mexico, Portugal, France and other Latin American countries, such as Columbia, there is no minimum age for bull fighters.
What prompts a parent to allow a child enter into such a dangerous sport? For many it is simply family tradition, as many
children come from a long line of bull fighters. For others they are purely prompted by money and fame, as fighters can earn thousands of US dollars per fight, and net more than 100,000 a year.
“Children, many from poor families, are seduced into the world of bullfighting by promises of fame, glory and above all money,” she said. “What happened to Jairo Miguel is lamentable but it is the result of laws which allow children to take part in bullfights.
(Bullfighting bends rules for fresh new face)
With it's linages dating back to ancient Rome, bull fighting, looks to remain a public controversy for decades to come, as both children's and animal rights activists, continue to lobby against the sport. In the meantime bullfighting, remains deeply rooted in ones culture, and matadors of all ages will continue to demonstrate a fearless skill and graceful confidence over their beastly and brutal competitors.
Video from Jairo Miguel Sanchez's near fatal bullfight:
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Links and Related Articles:
http://www.stopbullfighting.org/
