1. By Elena Tapia

2. Tope de Toros?

3. In The Beginning…  Ancient Rome and southern Europe Bull worship and sacrifice Core of Mithras religion, 100 AD – 400 AD ○ Secret, practiced by some Roman militia ○ Initiation to prove worthiness: slay powerful animals like bulls  Oldest depiction of a man fighting a bull Celtiberian tombstone from Clunia, Spain Cave painting, “El toro de hachos”, Spain

4. Running of the Bulls: Spain  1591  First, solely a way of moving bulls into corrals, now most popular festival in Spain  In honor of Saint Fermin July 7 th – 14 th

5. All Around the World  Mexico Home to the largest bullring in the world One of the most popular sports for the past 400 years Similar fiestas throughout Latin America  United States: New Orleans Since 2007 “RollerBulls” Throughout French Quarter

6. Japan  Bulls fight each other  stopped by “sekos” (bull separators) before harming each other  Honored, never killed

7. Granada, Nicaragua  Uncertain starting date  Our Lady of the Conception La Cochita  8-10 bulls

8. Now for the more important question of WHY?  Freud: re-inaction of primordial conflict  Jung: struggle to attain masculine energy; bull is the universal symbol of strength  Durkheim: creates social solidarity and peace within a community

9. Is it more simple than that?  Spanish heritage?  Form of entertainment?  Reason to drink?  Tradition?

11. Special thanks to:  Leonor Melendez  Jeanine Morales  Donald Blandón  Don Elena  Dr. Thomas

12. Works Cited "Spain Culture: Bull Running in Spain." Spain Info Com. Web. 09 Aug. 2010.. Higgins, Tom W. "Western & European Bull Riding & Fighting." Ezine @rticles. 30 Dec. 2008. Web.. Slodkowski, Antoni. "Japanese Bullfight Draw Fans as Spanish Corrida Faces Criticism." The China Post. 3 Aug. 2010. Web.. Home of NOLABULLS.com. Web. 18 Aug. 2010..