Gallery: Forget Matadors, These Guys Wrestle Bulls With Their Bare Hands

  • Image may contain Animal Mammal Bull Human Person Building Bullfighter Stadium Arena and Bullfighting
    Eduardo Leal
    01

    The Reunion

    A forcado tries to hang on after the 'pega' or face catch and is helped by the rest of the group in the Évora Arena in Évora, Portugal. July 19, 2013.
  • Image may contain Human Person Clothing Apparel and Shorts
    Eduardo Leal
    02

    Dressing for the bullfight

    Forcados from the group in Évora get help putting on five-meter red waistbands that protect their internal organs from the bull. Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal. August 15, 2013.
  • Image may contain Animal Mammal Bull Human Person Bullfighter Bullfighting Cattle and Cow
    Eduardo Leal
    03

    Rabujador closes the performance

    João Madeira, a member of the forcados group from Évora, acts as the 'rabujador' and pulls the tail while riding in circles to close the performance. Évora Arena. Portugal. July 20, 2013.
  • Image may contain Clothing and Apparel
    Eduardo Leal
    04

    Forcados jacket

    The 'jaqueta', or a forcado's jacket seen in the dressing room before the bullfight in Valverde, Portugal on August, 3 2013. The jacket distinguishes each group from a another because of the different fabrics and patterns. It is also extremely important for the forcados since it passes from generation to generation.
  • Image may contain Tie Accessories Accessory Face Human Person Coat Clothing Overcoat Apparel and Suit
    Eduardo Leal
    05

    Forcado lost in deep thoughts

    José Martins, a member of the Forcados of Évora, after a difficult catch. Entradas Arena. Portugal. July 26, 2013.
  • Image may contain Furniture Clothing Shoe Footwear Apparel Human Person and Couch
    Eduardo Leal
    06

    Forcados broken leg

    José Martins, a member of the group of Forcados of Évora, broke his leg after an attempt to wrestle the bull in Redondo, Portugal, on August 9, 2013. Forcados are frequently injured during their career. Some suffer broken bones, while others are disabled or even killed.
  • Image may contain Human Person Crowd and Finger
    Eduardo Leal
    07

    Blessings before wrestling the bull

    Before the group enters the arena to face the bull, forcados perform a small blessing. Forcados are known to be extremely religious. Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal. August 15, 2013.
  • Image may contain Animal Mammal Bull Cattle Cow Human Person Bullfighter and Bullfighting
    Eduardo Leal
    08

    The face catch

    A member of the Forcados of Évora performs a face catch. Reguengos de Monsaraz, Portugal. August 15, 2013.
  • Image may contain Human Person Clothing Apparel Path Walkway Cross Symbol Architecture Building Footwear and Shoe
    Eduardo Leal
    09

    Praying for protection

    Guga Oliveira, one of the members of the Forcados of Évora, watches as another member of the group prays before the bullfight. Alcochete Arena, Portugal. August 13, 2013.
  • Image may contain Human Person Sport and Sports
    Eduardo Leal
    10

    Jumping the trenches

    A forcado jumps into the arena. They try to make it as artistic as possible, since its one of the most important rituals before the 'pega' or head catch of the bull. Alcochete Arena, Portugal. August 13, 2013.
  • Image may contain Clothing Sleeve Apparel Long Sleeve Human Person Accessories and Accessory
    Eduardo Leal
    11

    Forcados jacket after wrestling the bull

    A detail of the forcado jacket after the 'pega,' or face catch. Redondo Arena, Portugal. August 10, 2013.
  • Image may contain Animal Mammal Bull Human Person Bullfighter Bullfighting and Building
    Eduardo Leal
    12

    Salutes from the public

    Dinis Caeiro, a member of the Forcados of Évora, leaves the arena after a successful 'pega' or face catch. When the pega is done on the first attempt and with style, the forcado goes around the arena to receive applauses and flowers from the public. Entradas, Portugal. July 26, 2013.
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