Well, the toll is in. Day 7: 101 injuries and one person gored to death—the first victim in 14 years.Probably one of the most popular events in Spain, the Running of the Bulls takes place every year from July 6-14 during the festival of San Fermín, patron saint of Pamplona.
Pamplona, also known as Iruñea to the local population, is located in northern Spain and is part of Basque Country—home to an ancient people who share a unique language and culture.
The Pamplona bull run, or Encierro in Spanish, dates back as far as 1591 and was made popular in modern times by Ernest Hemingway's novel "The Sun Also Rises.”
Like many European festivals that find their origins in Medieval or Renaissance times, a specific dress is associated with the festival. Traditionally, the local inhabitants dress in white shirts and pants with red scarves and belts.
During the San Fermín festival of 1989, 3 friends decided to sell t-shirts as souvenirs and, little did they know, a new tradition would be born—a new line of clothing called Kukuxumusu, which, in the Basque language, means ‘flea’s kiss’.
Humorous and festive, the clothing caught on fast, and now the festival and Kukuxumusu have become virtually interchangeable. Examples of designs include images of bulls chasing runners in traditional white and red, and vice versa!Referring to himself as the czar-jester, Mikel Urmeneta is co-founder and creative director.
Photo top left by Bernard bill5, Copyleft at Wikipedia.
Photo bottom right Copyright Kukuxumusu.
