Although experts agree that the tomatina began in around 1944, no one quite knows the reason why. Various theories claim that it might have been a food-fight that was held among a group of juveniles. Others state that it began as a punishment for an exceptionally bad musician. One of the more plausible explanations claims that the tomatina began as a response to the actions of a particularly unpopular local politician. No matter what the original cause for the mayhem, the event was so well enjoyed that it was repeated year after year and grew in popularity. The tomatina did fall out of favour under the reign of Francisco Franco due to its lack of religious significance but it was re-instituted in the late 1970s after the dictator's death.
The tomatina has a number of rules so that everyone can enjoy themselves with the least possibility of injury or trouble. For example, although the tomatoes are extremely ripe, participants are still asked to squash them thoroughly with their hands before launching them. People are also told not to take any hard objects like bottles into the battle so that there is less of a chance of someone launching anything that is not a tomato.
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Riot Survivor
Riot Survivor
The use of gloves and/or goggles is also encouraged. Ear plugs are also suggested because many participants find themselves visiting the doctor later to have bothersome tomato seeds removed from their ear canals. Finally, if you take a camera, take a waterproof one for obvious reasons and people are advised not to climb tall objects for a better photographic vantage point - it will make you a "sitting duck" to the 40,000 or so people looking for a target.
The local government's site on the tomatina sees this bit of local craziness as more than just a fun time and not only because of the massive injection of cash that the tomatina brings to Bruñol. It also claims the existence of a Tomatina Effect. Not only do the tomatoes have a positive effect on the skin of the participants, making it ".soft and cleansing it of impurities." but it also has a positive advantage on the sidewalks and streets of the town, ".leaving the paving stones whitened and cleaned and thoroughly disinfecting their surfaces. No matter what the long-term effects of the festivities, Buñol's tomatina still remains one of the most bizarre festivals in Spain and perhaps in the world.