Aguascalientes, Mexico - Mexican bullfighter Diego Silveti performs a ceremony before each bullfighting ring.

In every hotel room where he was dressed, he might bring him glory or death, he set up an altar, left the wedding band and prayed before heading to the arena.

"By leaving the ring behind, I told God: This is everything I have as a father, husband, son and brother," Silvety said. "I am committed to what I am born with - the Bullfighter."

He last encountered a bull in late April in the Aguascalientes in central Mexico, a state considered a cultural heritage. However, a few weeks ago, Mexico City lawmakers banned violent bullfighting in the country's capital.

Under that ban, the bullfighters there were still forbidden to fight the bulls, pierce the muscles with shoelaces or swords that penetrated the body.

Animal rights advocates celebrated the ruling and environment minister Julia álvarez said lawmakers made history. But, bullfighters like Silveti and fans and cattle breeders believe that this long-term Spanish tradition has profound significance and will be destroyed if the bulls cannot be killed in the arena.

"Their meanings proposed violate the nature and rituals of bullfighting," Silveti said. "It's a blinded ban against the way it has been since its origins."

In the 16th century, European conquerors of European Central American territories brought Catholic and cultural customs that are now intertwined with indigenous customs.

Researcher and bullfighting fan Antonio Rivera lives in Yucatán, a southeastern state where bullfighters reflect ancient Mayan traditions.

“In local celebrations, the root of bullfighting is the ritual of sacrifice,” Rivera said. “Ancient culture believed that the gods demanded sacrifice and blood fertilization.”

He said that every year, the Yucatan Peninsula celebrates about 2,000 bulls.

In 2021, Yucatan Congress announced part of its cultural heritage. It is a way to keep the memory of ancestors and a way to respect their people’s identity, the official declaration says.

"I felt very dedicated when I saw a bull," Rivera said. "This is my own mirror. It's like looking at a living museum that contains all the rituals in our collective memory."

Silveti is no longer a football, but a football with the “muletas” and “capotes”, but a brightly colored cloak to guide the Bulls’ charges.

His father was one of Mexico's most beloved and famous bullfighters. Until his death in 2003, fans called him "King of David" and many people remembered him deeply when their son was on the ring.

"No one asked where we wanted to be born," Silvety said. "The love for the feast of bulls and bullfights is my life and the lives of my ancestors."

His grandfather and father were also bullfighters before him. Sylvety stressed that his sons (now 6 and 2) would decide their careers, but he would proudly support them if they followed in his footsteps.

Neither the boy nor his wife watched him in the bullring, but Sylvety conveyed his passion in other ways. His family often visits the pastures where bulls are breeding. Occasionally, Sylvety's baby cows sometimes, his sons are in the arms.

"My youngest person likes it," said the bullfighter. "When he looked at the bullfighting ring, he played with a napkin or cloth and said 'Olé!' How could that be?"

When Silveti became a professional bullfighter in Spain in 2011, the "king" was no longer alive, but he kept feeling his father's presence.

"I feel his spirit in my soul," Silvety said. "On some days, when I'm alone in concentration, I try to talk to him and follow his example."

As a kid, Silveti never looked at his father on the ring. He stayed with his mother and brother. Since there is no social media to monitor real-time updates, they ask God to protect him.

Many bullfighters like Silveti pray before every bullfighting ring. In Aguascalientes Plaza, the Reverend Ricardo Cuéllar blessed them.

"My job is to participate in the religious needs of the bullfighting family," Kular said. "Not only the bullfighters, but also the fanatics, those who sell food in the arena and the bullfighting assistants."

According to Tauromaquia Mexico, Mexico's largest bullfighting organization, more than 20,000 jobs depend on this tradition.

Mexico City is pleased with the measures of one of the groups that oppose violent bullfighting and said efforts will continue to be made elsewhere. Six other Mexican countries have also imposed bans.

“We will continue to advocate for the ban given that animals should not be considered as recreational activities,” the organization said on social media.

Meanwhile, cattle breeders say they think bulls are not sources of income, but fascinating creatures they spend years. Manuel Sescosse, who owns the ranch, says this particular type of bull breeding is as exciting as bullfighting.

"They have to look good in the arena," Sescos said. "Offensive but noble. They have to charge and simultaneously trigger a sensitivity that fills the crowd with emotions."

The perfect bull for a fight is 4 or 5 years and weighs between 900-1,200 pounds.

According to Sescosse, 30 cows are equipped every rainy season and their offspring is carefully monitored. Most will receive a name. All of this is fed with grass only and has a larger area for them to exercise and become strong. At the right age, only a few will be selected for bullfighting.

"You watch them be born and grow into calves and grow up," Cescos said. "When they encounter bullfights, leave traces and are respected, that affection grows."

Not everyone who participates in the bullfight is attracted by the divine aspects, but some do find deeper goals.

Daniel Salinas said the bullfighters follow strict norms to show their appreciation for the life of the bull, even if they ended. "We celebrate death stemming from the rituals of humans facing wild animals," he said.

In Aguascalientes, Silveti caressed him, his second bull died and closed his eyes cautiously before stepping out of the stage.

"I know the Bulls gave me everything he had and I'm willing to show him for his life," Silveti said. "I've gone through it 13 times and I'm happy to accept these hits because I do it for a bigger purpose."

It rarely happens, but his life is spared when a bull has a unique artistic connection with the bullfighter. He obtained "Banderilla" (a dart-like stick) instead of a sword. He then returns to the ranch to breed a descendant worshipped by fans.

Spanish bullfighter Alejandro Talavante faced one of the bulls after Silveti's performance in Aguascalientes.

Centinela - Four-year-old, 1,140 pounds of pitch-black leather, won the hearts of fans as Talavante's pass made him spin and dance. The purpose of the bullfighter is to kill more than once, but the crowd begged him not to. Finally, the judge was addicted to it.

Centinela took her last violent run and disappeared in the tunnel, while thousands of people cheered. It was also a day of glory for him.

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