Encierro

The 'encierro,' a Spanish term, primarily refers to the running of the bulls, a practice that involves releasing bulls to run through the streets of a town or city, often as part of a festival or celebration. It's a highly-charged and often dangerous activity, where participants, known as 'mozos,' attempt to run ahead or alongside the bulls. The encierro requires significant skill, bravery, and local knowledge and has strong roots in Spanish culture. It can also denote the confinement or seclusion of something or someone, like livestock, prisoners or oneself. It is a period of physical activity, adrenaline and is not without serious injury. Beyond the traditional bull runs, the term can also be used figuratively to describe a stressful, high-pressure environment, either physical or emotional.

Encierro meaning with examples

• The most famous encierro takes place in Pamplona during the San Fermín festival. Each morning, the bulls are released, and hundreds of people run along the designated route. The atmosphere is electric, filled with anticipation and the roar of the crowd. Runners need quick feet, nerves of steel, and a bit of luck to avoid injury.
• After the bullfight, the encierro commences, with the surviving bulls being ushered back to their pens, completing the daily cycle. The aftermath is usually filled with adrenaline, but is marked by a quiet anticipation for the next morning's run. The tradition has been practiced for centuries and draws both locals and tourists.
• During the hostage situation, the police enforced an encierro of the entire building. No one could enter or exit as they worked to negotiate the hostages' release. The prolonged confinement created intense anxiety for everyone involved, and the waiting became an ordeal for all.
• Sarah described her final university exam period as an encierro, spending weeks confined to her room, studying constantly. She felt isolated, exhausted, and on high alert. The sheer volume of work and the pressure to succeed created a stressful experience that she was desperate to escape.