Al Matador of Fujairah

There is no matador, no corrida, and no bloodshed at the bullfights in Fujairah. However, as the sun sinks into the Hajar Mountains and the moon rises over the Indian Ocean, a fine time can be had by all at the makeshift bullring on the coast road to Kalba. The contest, which is held on weekends in the winter, pits Brahmin bull against bull in more of a wrestling match than a traditional bullfight.

Bull Butting began in Portugal between the 16th and 17th century. The Portugese who colonized the area brought the sport to the United Arab Emirates.In Fujairah, bull butting is a family event. Every Friday, local families and tourists gather at an open field to watch the bulls' battle it out. The day begins with 20 bulls and winners move on the next round. The prize for the winner is to have his value increased.After many hundreds of years in an open area the bull butting contests will take place behind a fence. Even though the bulls are tied up and handled by attendants, they sometimes take to charging spectators - especially those in red... even red Underwear, those bulls got see-through eyes!

This is my favourite bull, the Fern Leaf bull.. remind me of Milk Powder Erin.

An Cool Arab explains to me that the bulls are raised on a diet of milk, honey, and meal and that they are prized for the "massiveness of their necks and shoulders and the sturdiness of their haunches." Two bulls are led onto the sandy arena and, with heads down and noses almost touching the ground, they wrestle and lock horns. The horns are blunt and while one bull may occasionally get tangled in the harness of the other there is really little violence. Eventually one bull may force the other out of the ring, but more often one bull tires and walks away.