Fight for the Fittest
“His stride is wildernesses of freedom…The world rolls under the long thrust of his heel”…
And there he is, the aggressive, enraged bull ready for violent, whirling action…
The eventful tradition of the bull fighting can be traced back to the very origin of the country’s civilization and grand culture blended deeply into its soil. It is not celebrated merely as an event but as an art form too, which provides an open platform of human-animal interaction. Here’s a country upholding its tradition with all its glory and power, that’s exactly what I saw back in Fujairah, a northern emirate of U A E conducting its weekly Friday evening bullfight.
It’s a fight between the masculine bulls to uplift their owners’ pride and majesty to venerable heights. But unlike any other kind of much-celebrated bullfights around the world, here you cannot find any bloodshed or an attack against the crowd, or a brutally bruised bull. May be this would be the safest way to organize a bullfight with the true sportsman spirit and its exuberance and excitement literally.
The high-rising dust, boisterous bellowing around, the echoing of horns and drums, the plethora of enthusiasm in the air and the encouraging shouts of aficionados, all together create a perfect mood of a mortal combat out there. Doubtless, it could make everything to pump your adrenalin and lead you to an enrapt world of heroism saturated with mixed feelings of frisson and passion.
Bull Entering, Fujairah U A E 2012
Curiously waiting…
Making the bull ready for the encounter
Thriving Discussions and Betting
Not sure whether the distinct custom should be opposed or supported, nevertheless, here is a country trying to preserve its age-old heritage and culture with immense zeal and fervor, with an urge to display to generations, and posing itself a model before the whole world, with a difference; and a comfortable way to conduct a bullfight on its most civilized manner.
Stunning photos.
Thanks Daniel
How do they tell which bull wins?
and also, do you know why this tradition originated? Just curious….
Hey Abena Thanks
Origin : it was connected the famous Fujairah Friday market and they used this competition to find a better market place for selling the bulls by showing their caliber.
Winner : The goal of the duel is for one of the bulls to butt the other out of the inner circle. The two bulls are only in the arena for 2-3 minutes before the round is concluded. Sometimes a bull will retreat, leaving the other with a clear cut victory. More often than not it is deemed a draw when there is no clear winner.
Thanks
Wow! These pictures are amazing!
Thank you mate
great photo essay
Thank you
Have just read a bit about bull fighting I love seeing your gorgeous pictures–you tell wonderful stories through your images
Thanks Andy
Hello.
Never seen anything like this before. These are some awesome photos! Just hope the animals are not hurt in the process. Thanks for sharing.
Thoughts Of Beauty In The Stillness Of Dawn…
Thanks Madhu
ya ! but unlike jallikattu here the fight is between the bulls and in a cultured manner
Had not heard of Fujairah! There is a form of bullfight/race in Tamilnadu called Jaalikattu, which is going to be banned if I am not mistaken. And the ‘Kambla’ races in Mangalore of course. Lovely shots.
I love the different angles you took the photos from. That last photo scares me a little!
Hey Arundhathi
as usual thanks a lot for your detailed comment
Different from the usual scenes & themes……the topic u choose is kind of its own….classy….!I was never aware that a peculiar kind of bull fight happens so peacefully there wthout brutal injuries,merciless threatening & chaos….heard only about the ones in Spain & a few such countries where the ‘matador de toros’ viciously traps the animal & kills it……away from slaughter, agonizing yells, grime, smoky dust & violent cries in the atmosphere…….tho’ it’s a cruel game, the pics reveal lack of terror & fatal activity thro’out the entire procedure……admire the ‘eloquent’ pics …..!
Thank you so much Subodh
Well done Rana, lovely photographs, amazing feel to it
well written with apt pictures … as usual your clicks are amazing dear … keep clicking and writing
)
Thanks Chechi
There you go again — what a lovely visual treat and a brilliant write-up! You are an amazing photographer, am always wishing you much success in your journey Ranadive! Cheers.
Thank you so much dear friend
wishing you the same 
Fab
Thank you !
Great captures! Awesome indeed.
Thanks Dilip
Rather interesting! I suppose it’s terribly cliche, but as a Hemingway fan, I’ve always been interested in/curious about bull fighting… I suppose Spanish and Arabian bullfighting really is very different, but it comes down to Man VS Beast…or really, Animal VS Animal, doesn’t it? Beautiful photos!
Thats True
Thank you so much for the detailed comment 
Thank you so much for your detailed post
As always, I come to your page and see something unique..
This time too.. 
Good captures yet again Rane… 
I had only heard of such practices in India.. This post of yours tell vividly that people all over the world has shared thoughts and practices.. Wonderful pictures Rane..
N also thank you so much for taking time to see my posts too.. 
Cheers..
P.S. This reminded me of movie ‘Thenmaavin Kombathu’ …
Thanks alot Rosh
Brilliant work Rana! Amazing story telling skills thru images…very interesting!
Thank you Shikha !
Not sure on how I feel about bull fighting but the photography is amazing and tells a story of tradition … Well done
Thank you
Thank you friend