Banderillas are colorful, barbed sticks used in traditional Spanish bullfighting. Typically made of wood, they are about 30 inches long and adorned with bright paper or cloth. The banderilleros, who are specialized bullfighters, place these sticks into the bull's back during the second act of the fight, aiming to provoke and weaken the animal. The use of banderillas is a significant part of the corrida de toros, or bullfight, which is a cultural event in Spain and some Latin American countries. This practice is controversial, as it raises ethical concerns regarding animal welfare and the treatment of bulls in the arena.