Corralejas are very popular bullfighting festivals that take place around the Caribbean coast of Colombia. In these events, members of the public are invited to enter the bullring to fight the bulls, often on horses. Though they are not exactly the same as typical Spanish bullfights, they have a similar character and are considered a heritage of Spanish culture in this region of Colombia.
A recently-introduced law that prohibits bullfighting in Colombia does not apply to the corralejas, a fact that has been applauded by fans of the sport and criticized by animal rights advocates. Although the bull does not die in the corralejas as it does in bullfights, the animals still suffer significant mistreatment. Those who support the banning of the sport have accused politicians of “hypocrisy,” claiming that they “did not dare” to eliminate the corralejas since it is still deeply rooted in the popular culture of certain areas of Colombia.
Corralejas remain legal in Colombia, despite law banning bullfights
After years of political and judicial litigation in May Colombia approved a final, nationwide ban on bullfighting. The ban includes all forms of bullfighting, including the “rejoneo”, which involves the bullfighter riding a horse, the “Becerrada”, which involves calves instead of bulls, and the “novillada”, which involves novice bullfighters facing young bulls.
Defenders of the law say that if corralejas had been included in the text, the ban would not have been approved at all. Jairo Vega, the vice-president of the animal protection organization Protección Animal de Sincelejo, said that politicians “did not dare” to eliminate corralejas, because of the “fear” of the social outrage it would have caused. He also criticized their “hypocrisy” and “lack of courage.”
However, he did concede that the law was a “first step” to eradicate these acts of savagery and evident animal mistreatment.”
“It is true that the most important minority in the Colombian Congress is formed by deputies from the Caribbean coast, so it would have been impossible to pass the law that was approved if it had included the corralejas,” Vega acknowledged
A traditional celebration
The corralejas are a deeply rooted tradition in the popular culture of the Colombian Caribbean, especially in the departments of Cordoba, Sucre and Bolivar. The fights have their roots in colonial times, when Spanish landowners organized festivals to celebrate their harvests and the prosperity of their land. These celebrations included tournaments with bulls, similar to Spanish bullfights, but with a distinctive local touch.
The first corralejas, as they are known today, emerged in the early 20th century in the Montes de Maria region. More than simply sports, the corralejas are festive events which combine bullfighting with popular music and dance and involve the active participation of the public.
Unlike traditional bullfights, the corralejas do not have professional matadors in the corralejas. Instead, the bulls are confronted by members of the public who, with more bravery than skill, enter the arena to challenge the animal.
The bull is put into an enclosure surrounded by precarious wooden bleachers, where a large part of the audience is located. The attendees can then interact with the animal, confronting the bulls by running towards them, hitting them, and tying them up with ropes.
According to Vega, the festivities are “a clear act of animal abuse.” His organization, along with other animal protection charities, are dedicated to bringing about the eventual ban of the tradition.
Two major Corralejas tragedies
Besides the personal injuries some participants suffer when facing the bull, often while intoxicated, the structures built for corralejas are normally flimsy due to their temporary nature. This precariousness frequently leads to tragic accidents.
Over the decades, several incidents have occurred. The two most significant tragedies in the history of these events are those of Sincelejo in 1980 and El Espinal in 2022.
The first and most devastating incident occurred on January 20, 1980, in Sincelejo, Sucre. An improvised grandstand made of wood and bamboo collapsed under the weight of spectators, resulting in 500 deaths and over 2,000 injuries. One of Colombia’s worst public event disasters, the fallout was so profound that corralejas were suspended in the area until 1999.
Although security measures have since improved, risks persist. The most recent incident took place on June 26, 2022, in El Espinal, Tolima, during festivities celebrating the patron saint San Pedro. Another grandstand collapsed, killing four people including a 14-month-old child, and injuring over 300.
Although this accident highlighted the ongoing safety risks at these events, corralejas continued in 2023 and 2024. However, debate continues about the safety and appropriateness of maintaining a tradition that has claimed so many lives.