Inside the World of Bullfighting and Cannabis 

With so many Western contexts for cannabis (legal dispensaries, lounges, education pathways, etc), we sometimes forget the big picture. The history of cannabis use spans centuries, with unique applications across China, India, and many other regions. Throughout centuries of use, many cultures have developed traditions that are still in practice today. 

One scarcely documented example of cannabis use across the globe centers on bullfighting. In some Kenyan cultures, bullfighting is a popular activity that brings in large crowds. Some owners feed their bulls cannabis ahead of a fight to boost their performance. Cannabis is illegal in the country, though it remains a popular and abundant drug. But as one participant said in a Citizen TV Kenya feature, the practice fulfills the will of their ancestors. 

Let’s take a closer look at the world of bullfighting and cannabis. 

Bhang for the Bulls

Bhang is an edible paste made of smashed cannabis leaves and other herbs or spices. Originating in India with its first documented use somewhere between 1400-2000 B.C., Bhang is still widely used today, particularly for medicinal purposes and as part of traditional Holi festivals where it is believed to elevate the spirit. 

But in Kenya and other regions, the term “bhang” has taken on a broader meaning as slang for cannabis. In the aforementioned Citizen TV Kenya feature, “Bulls On Fire,” one bull owner wraps dried cannabis inside a corn husk or similar fiber and says, “This is my special way of giving him bhang.” Then, he feeds the wrapped-up cannabis to his animal. 

Why Cannabis for Bullfighting?

People have reportedly given cannabis to bulls in an effort to improve their fighting skills, though documentation of this Kenyan tradition remains limited. From what we do know, it’s clear that the practice draws heavily on traditions and nods to ancestors. 

Whether the bull is given cannabis–and the frequency of its use–appears to be dependent on the situation. In one article examining bullfighting culture across the greater Luhya communities, a veteran bullfighter explains that some, but not all, bulls can benefit from cannabis use for their fights. 

“There are those that you will give bhang, and they become stupefied instead of wild. And others will do the opposite. It all depends on how you have conditioned your bull and how you treat it,” he told the journalist. 

Bull owner Roger Mwachi explained in the Citizen TV Kenya documentary that there’s a simple formula for dosing the bulls: If the bull performs well, keep giving it what you’re giving it. If it’s a loser, adjust the amount.

The impacts of cannabis on bullfighting range based on the report. 

In 2016, researchers gathered at a veterinary meeting in Meru, Kenya. Presenter Mercy Barasa shared her findings on what she described as torturous conditions that animals go through when bullfighting.

An article summarizing the meeting stated that in the town of Kakamega, “Bulls involved in fighting in Kakamega are fed with herbs and bhang to reduce their sexual libido and endure tremendous amounts of distress.”

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Other documented uses include feeding cannabis to the bulls or blowing smoke in their faces on the morning of the fight to make them more aggressive. 

READ: Animal Feed That Contains Hemp Could Mean More Benefits For Us

Criticisms of cannabis for bullfighting

Bullfighting is a controversial activity, regardless of whether owners give the animals cannabis. The biggest concerns center around animal welfare. Though bullfighting has a long history as a cultural event, it has been banned in many countries. 

Most recently, Mexico City lawmakers overwhelmingly approved a ban on violent bullfighting. To preserve the long tradition of bullfighting, the new law prohibits killing the bulls and using sharp objects to injure them. The new rules still allow the fighting but now impose a time limit on each match. This change is part of an initiative called “bullfighting without violence.”

Bullfighting in Kenya also draws on a long tradition and cultural history. The activity’s origins span back several centuries, with researchers describing the tradition as one that represents resilience, prosperity, and cohesion. Researchers also say that the Isukha and Idakho people shape their traditional identities through the act of bullfighting, which often takes place at significant life events like weddings and burials.

Animal rights groups opposed a brief attempt to bring bullfighting outside its traditional locations in Kenya. Some legislators called it a “barbaric sport” and made other critical remarks.

And then there was the research presented by Mercy Barasa, who concluded that “the practice of bullfighting denies these animals their basic freedoms, especially: 

– freedom from pain, injury, and disease 

– freedom to express normal behaviour 

– freedom from fear and distress.”

In contrast, research published in the African Journal of Empirical Research states that “The Isukha-Idakho style of bullfighting places a strong emphasis on treating the bulls with kindness.” The researchers also say that judges are present to oversee the event and ensure that animals are safe and treated fairly. 

While there is not a lot of published criticism about administering cannabis to bulls, the practice is often lumped into the larger criticisms about bullfighting in general. 

Cannabis in Kenya

Cannabis use is illegal across Kenya for medical or recreational purposes. While there have been past attempts to legalize the plant, nothing has come to fruition yet. Cannabis use appears to be widespread across the country, though, with recent significant increases in use among the youth. 

While there is limited research on the use of cannabis for bullfighting, the oral history from bull owners suggests that the practice spans generations as well.