In Terceira island bullfighting is part of its vast traditions, being the oldest folguedo tradition popular in the Azores archipelago. It can be called bullfighting on the rope, bullfighting on rope or bullfighting on the rope and it is considered a tauromaquico fun on Terceira island. Thus, rope bullfights are an ancestral cultural element that characterizes the people of Terceira and was initiated by the first settlers who took advantage of the excess cattle that the island provided. The people of Terceira live in an interesting and exciting way the bullfights as all the other traditions and festivals.
The rope bullfight is characterized by the race of four bulls of the brave breed in the course of a camp mounted on a street or a road, and the course must have, as a general rule, a maximum of 500 meters. The bull is controlled by a rope that is tied around its neck, hence the designation of a bullfight on the rope, being the bull held by six men – shepherds – whose function is to lead the fight and prevent the bull from leaving the stretch of road that is stipulated. The members of the public, usual boys, can participate in the tradition and after the fight, the animals are placed in pastures and can be used again for the tradition, but with minimum rest of eight days. The taurine season is from May 1st to October 15th, and the beginning of the bullfight can vary between 4 pm and 6:30 pm from May 1st to August 31st, and between 4 pm and 6 pm from September 1st to October 15th. The bullfight has a maximum duration of 2h30 (between 15 to 30 minutes for each bull, besides the breaks).
The first time it is known that the rope bullfight took place was in 1622, the year in which the Angra do Heroísmo City Hall programmed the rope bullfight event as part of the canonization celebrations of Saint Francis Xavier and Saint Ignatius of Laiola. However, it believed that this tradition had already occurred a long time ago, so it was included in an official event of the Chamber.
Over the years, the running of bullfights on the rope has acquired a set of characteristics, rules and popular rules that are now legally codified. These rules establish, no more and no less, the animal health and welfare procedures to be followed in relation to the bulls participating in the bullfights, the signs corresponding to the limits of the camp through scratches on the ground and the signs to be used at the start and in collecting the bull – rockets. It is mandatory, by law, that the bulls are properly embellished. If during the bullfight one of the metal or leather balls falls, the bull must be collected. In order to protect the spectators, the bulls always have the tip of their horns covered with something that provides some protection. In addition, the vehicles adapted for the sale of food and drink to the spectators are outside the limits of the bullfight’s course and within the limits of the bullfight’s course, it is assumed that all spaces that may represent danger or insecurity for people are fenced off.
In the limits of the route, there are two police officers of public security (the one next to each of the risks) that control the parking and passage of vehicles through the route of the bullfight.
It is important to highlight some safety recommendations for those who will watch the famous bullfights on the rope:
You must arrive at the place where the bullfight will take place at least 30 minutes before the beginning of the bullfight;
If you arrive at the place and the bull has already left, it is necessary to wait before the risk until the bull is picked up (after listening to the two rockets that signal the pick up of the animal);
Watch the bullfight in a safe place. The owners of the stages, houses, balconies, usually offer a place to ask them to watch the bullfight on their property;
Watching the bullfight on the way can be dangerous and if you want to do so it is important not to approach the bull, staying close to places where you can easily escape/protect yourself from the bull;
It is important not to stir up or provoke the bull, as it can make an assault on you;
If the bull makes an onslaught on the place where he is watching the bullfight, it is important to move away to another area where the bull does not have access;
The rockets are usually thrown in such a way that they don’t fall within the course of the bullfight. Nevertheless, it is important to pay attention when the rockets are launched;
It is important to take care of the physical integrity of the animal or of any person who participates in the fight, avoiding throwing or abandoning objects or materials in the course of the bullfight;
If you have a car it is important to park it outside the limits of the bullfight’s route. It is forbidden to park any means of transportation within the route of the bullfight;
During the break, if you want to go to the tavern, it is important to pay attention to the bull’s exit, and each break can last between 10 to 15 minutes;
It is important to keep away from the animal; if you want to film or take a photograph of it keeping the distance is essential;
It is important that in this kind of demonstrations you take care of your safety and that of others.