Mozos, or runners, generally wear white slacks and shirts with red bandanas tied around their necks or waists. However, dressing up is not limited to the competitors in the race. Spectators at the festival may also dress in red clothing or wear yellow flowers in their hair.
Only young men between the ages of 15 and 40 are allowed to compete. The younger you are, the faster you can run! A bull's strength increases as it matures, so older animals are able to resist being gored more effectively. However, they are also more likely to be killed in the race because they are no longer fast enough to escape serious injury after being thrown by a bull.
The runners must be able to keep up with the bulls for at least half a mile. This is difficult since the bulls are being driven at high speeds during the race. If a runner falls behind, one of the bulls will often turn back to seek out its competitor. This means that if you aren't keeping up, there's a good chance that you'll be gored before the end of the race.
There are two types of bulls used in Pamplona. Picador bulls are mature males used for breeding purposes. They weigh around 1500-2500 pounds and stand over 16 hands (56 inches) at the shoulder.
The red-and-white outfit is explained by two legends: One explanation is that it is to commemorate San Fermin, a saint (white) who was murdered (red), while the other is that the runners dress like the butchers who started this ritual. (Because the bulls are colorblind, they don't mind.)
Actually, the tradition dates back much further than San Fermin. Archaeologists have found evidence of blood sports in Spain as early as 3,000 B.C., which makes them older than most countries today. The first written reference to this tradition is from 1484 in Valencia where it is described as "a thing done every year on St. Mark's Day at a certain fair in Valencia."
The story of how it came to be performed in Pamplona is this: In the 13th century, a group of butchers in Madrid decided to have some fun one Saturday when no shops were open. So they went out into the streets and killed a bull. Then they cut off its head and feet and carried them into town wearing these parts as hats. When the police came after they had been partying all night, the butchers threw the heads and feet over the walls of the city.
The police didn't arrest anyone but the heads and feet made their way into local culture and later into literature. A poet named Francisco de Salinas wrote about the hat dance in 1555.
The typical San Fermin Festival clothing is white slacks and a white shirt with the distinctive red scarf (Panuelico) and red waistline. Black or dark-colored shoes are appropriate for the run of the bulls.
During the festival, there are many things that can happen during the run of the bulls. If you are worried about what might happen, then it's best not to watch the festival. Instead, you should try to have a safe holiday without getting hurt.
If you choose to watch the festival, then it's important to remember that these animals are powerful and dangerous. They may charge at any time, so keep your eyes open at all times during the festival.
The most common way for people to be injured by a bull is when they get pushed in front of the bull or hit with the horns. Sometimes people are killed by falling masts or being gored by sharp teeth.
In addition to humans, bulls also attack horses, dogs, and even each other. There have been cases where horses have kicked people dead after being charged by bulls. It's also well known that bulls will fight each other for dominance, often leading to deaths too. Dogs are frequently attacked when their owners leave them inside vehicles.
Bandanas were worn by traditional cowboys and cowgirls to absorb perspiration while working on the ranch. Bandanas are generally worn as a fashion statement these days. Put on a western-style belt. Cowgirl belts are often brown leather with huge silver, gold, or turquoise buckles. Cowboy belts are usually black leather with large silver or gold buckle.
Did you know that there is a song called "Cowboy Camping" by Lonestar? The song is about a young man who goes camping by himself for the first time and gets kidnapped by aliens who take him back home with them. When he returns home, he learns that his girlfriend has been waiting for him with their friends. They go out dancing that night!
A cowboy or cowgirl is someone who works on a ranch. In recent years, the term "cowboy style" has become popular when referring to men's clothing. Styles like this are known for their use of Western prints and colors. Dark jeans and a dark colored shirt are always appropriate. Black is the classic color but other options include brown, gray, white, and red.
There are also styles for women called cowgirl dresses and prairie skirts. These look similar to regular dresses except that they have wide straps and a cutout in the front to show some skin. Some people may not want to be seen in public without any clothes on at all so this is acceptable.
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