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COLOMBIAN GLADIATORS
In the heart of a civil war, the bullfighting arena is the stage where gruesome passions and class divisions are played out — to the death.
Photographs by Stephen Ferry
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CERETÉ, CÓRDOBA, COLOMBIA, FEBRUARY 2004
DEATH BY GORING OF FÉLIX “MONO” MEJÍA, A POPULAR CAPOTERO (BULLFIGHTER) UNDER CONTRACT TO THE CORRALEJA ORGANIZERS. IT IS SAID THAT HE WAS SO GOOD THAT HE COULD CHARGE UP TO US$300 FOR A WEEK'S WORK. AT HIS FUNERAL, HIS WIFE EXPLAINED THAT HE DIDN'T DO IT JUST FOR THE MONEY — “BUT OF COURSE THE MONEY HELPED A LOT, BECAUSE HE HAS A FAMILY TO SUPPORT.”
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CERETÉ, CÓRDOBA, COLOMBIA, FEBRUARY 2004
SPECTATORS IN THE GALLERY REACT TO THE SIGHT OF A GORING IN PROGRESS. TICKET PRICES TO THE GALLERY
VARY BETWEEN 15,000 TO 25,000 PESOS (US$6 TO US$10), WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY FOR THE AVERAGE RESIDENT OF
THIS AREA OF COLOMBIA; SEATS IN THE GROUND LEVEL RUN A TENTH OF THE PRICE. |
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CERETÉ, CÓRDOBA, COLOMBIA, FEBRUARY 2003
THIS SEASON IN CÉRETÉ, 18 MEN WERE WOUNDED AND THREE DIED OVER THE FIVE DAYS OF CORRALEJAS. |
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TIERRALTA, CÓRDOBA, COLOMBIA, FEBRUARY 2004
A COTTON-CANDY VENDOR OUTSIDE THE CORRALEJA RING. |
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