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CELEBRATING BULLS in the CAMARGUE:
Characterized by their small size and black hide, Camargue bulls are reared in the relative freedom of the delta's marshlands. They are an integral part of Camargue folklore and the region’s festivities.
The FERRADE: initially this event involved rounding up one-year old bulls, using a trident, and pinning them down before branding them with their owner’s mark and creating an escoussure (a specific identifying cut to one of the bull's ear).
Formerly prompting a large party at the manade, the event is now performed mainly as a show to entertain visitors.
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COURSE à la COCARDE:
Steeped in Camargue tradition, this game first appeared in the mid-nineteenth century – again, it centres on the bulls bred in the area.
Recognised as a sport by the French ministry of sports, the course à la cocarde (the rosette race) is a game in which animals neither die, nor are ill-treated.
The raseteurs, all dressed in white, begin in the centre of the arena, and have to seize the three items that are specially hung from the bull: the rosette between the animal's horns, the ribbon at the base of the horns and the tassels around the horns.
The small build of the Camargue bull means it is extremely agile and can take even the best raseteurs by surprise.
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Numerous races are organized throughout Camargue, the most prestigious being La Cocarde d’Or, which takes place in Arles, La Palme d’Or, in Beaucaire, and the final of the Trophée des As.
The ABRIVADO and the BANDIDO are other aspects of Camargue tradition that centres on bulls.
The abrivado is when the bulls are escorted through the town by the gardians, who make them run as fast as possible. The many spectators lining the route then attempt to get the bulls to deviate from their path, providing the gardians with the opportunity to show off their horsemanship skills.
The bandido is the return from the arena to the fields, applying the same rules as on the way in to town.
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