Muleta
|
|
Muleta is the name of the red cape used in bullfighting by a matador to attract a bull. It was reputedly introduced by Francisco Romero in 1726. The cape obscures a sword, the bullfighter uses his cape to attract the bull in a series of passes, demonstrating his control over it. (Veterinary physiological aside: Bulls are actually colour-blind, so the cape needen't be red to serve its purpose. It being of red colour is just a matter of tradition.) There are a number of distinct styles of pass, each with its own name. For instance, the veronica is a pass in which the matador slowly swings the cape away from the charging bull while keeping his feet in the same position. The faena is the final series of passes before the kill, in which the matador attempts to manoeuvre the bull into a position to stab it between the shoulders and through the heart. If this fails he must then cut the bull's spinal cord with a second sword, killing it instantly. The task of killing the bull is given to the matador alone; his title means literally "killer".