Castell

A castell is a human tower traditionally built during festivals in many places in Catalonia, Spain. At these festivals, several "colles castelleres" (teams) meet and try to build the most impressive towers they can.

Origin

This tradition originated in the southern part of Catalonia at the end of the 18th century. More specifically in Valls, near the city of Tarragona. The tradition later spread to other regions of Catalonia and even Majorca, and has become very popular. However, the best and most skilled "castellers" are still found near Tarragona.

The Castell

In Catalan the word "castell" means castle.

A "castell" is considered a success when it is properly "assembled " and "dismantled", that is, when everyone has climbed into place, the "enxaneta" (the last one) climbs up to the top, raises one hand (with four fingers erect, said to symbolize the stripes of the Catalan flag), climbs down the other side of the "castell", and then everyone else comes down safely.

Besides the people who actually climb, many are also needed to form the "pinya" (the base of the "castell"). They help sustain the weight and act as a sort of safety net.

The "castell" is built in two phases: in the first phase, the "pinya" is formed, as well as the base of the tower. All the people from the upper layers get to a position from which they can easily get to their place in the tower. This is done carefully and slowly, and when completed, the castellers judge whether the base is stable enough to continue. Once the go-ahead is given, the band start to play the traditional music, the crowd is silenced, and the upper layers of the tower are built as quick as possible to avoid overstraining the lower castellers. Breaking up the tower is done under the clapping and cheering of the crowd and is often the most risky part of the entire process.

Attire

Typical clothing consists of white trousers, a black sash, a bandana and a coloured shirt often bearing the team's emblem, but the colour of the shirt itself is also an indication of the team. For instance, the "Castellers de Barcelona" wear a red shirt, the "Castellers de Vilafranca" a green one, etc.

The sash is the most important part of their outfit, since it supports the lower back and is very useful to other castellers as a foothold or handhold when climbing up the tower. This piece of cloth varies in length and width depending on the "casteller's" position inside the tower and also on personal taste. Its length can range from 1.5 to 8 meters, and it is usually shorter for those higher up in the castell.Performing castellers usually go barefoot so that they do not hurt each other as they climb and so that they have more sensitivity in their feet.

The "castellers" arrange themselves into a multi-tiered structure or tower, sometimes as high as nine or ten people. A young child known as the "enxaneta" then climbs to the top of the tower.Accidents are unusual during the construction of a castell. However, they do occur, and on August 6, 2006, in Mataró a young casteller fell off the castell she was forming and died. Before this, the last fatal accident was in 1981 in Torredembarra.

"Castellers" have a motto: "Strength, balance, courage and reason".
* Strength: A "casteller" is usually a stocky person. The first castellers were peasants who were accustomed to holding great weights and much physical exertion.
* Balance: To support those above you in the castell while relying on those below you for support requires a strong sense of balance and trust in others.
*Courage: The most important characteristic for castellers, especially among the young children that form the highest levels.
*Reason: In planning, rehearsal and performance requires a great deal of planning and reason. Any error can make the structure fall down.

Types of Castell

"Castells" are described by number of people who make up each of the levels, as well as the number of levels. The number of levels can be up to 10. The number of people per level varies between 1 and 5, where towers with only 1 person per level are referred to as "pillars" (pillars), and with 2 people as "torres" (towers). In towers of 3 or 4, each layer is formed as a ring, with larger layers, the layers consist of several rings.

Apart from the basic name of the tower, the tower is commonly denominated by its features: whether it is supported by a support rows (folre and/or manilles), and whether there is an "agulla" inside the tower. In the image, a "4 de 9 amb folre" (4 of 9 with cover) is depicted (by the Castellers de Barcelona), because there are four people making up most of the levels, the tower is nine levels high, and the tower is supported by a "folre", the first visible layer in the picture resting on the bulk below them.

Terminology

* "pinya" (bulk): The densely arranged crowd of castellers at the base of the tower. Here is where most of the people are. Its function is to sustain the second level, lighten the weight on those who form the foundation and to soften the impact of anyone falling.
* "enxaneta" (rider) : The topmost child.
* "aixecador" (riser): The person sustaining the "enxaneta".
* "dosos" (seconds): The level sustaining the "aixecador".
* "pom de dalt" (top bunch): The top three levels of the "castell": "dosos", "aixecador", and "enxaneta".
* "folre" (cover): A group of people standing on the "pinya" and sustaining the third level.
* "manilles" (cover): A group of people standing on the "folre" and sustaining the fourth level.
* "agulla" (needle) : A tower with one person per level ("pilar") inside the "castell". When the "castell" is being dismantled, the "agulla" must remain standing until the outside part of the "castell" is already down.
* "cap de colla" (leader): The head of each team, who decides which "castells" the team is ready to try, and acts as a director for the construction of the "castells" from the ground. He is always accompanied by many assistants and advisers.

See also

* Muixeranga
* Dahi Handi

External links

* [http://www.castellersdevilafranca.cat/ Castellers de Vilafranca ]
* [http://www.castellersdebarcelona.org/eng/index.htm Castellers de Barcelona (English language)]
* [http://www.spanien-katalonien.info/castellers/castellers.html spanien-katalonien site with photographs and video of castell construction]
* [http://www.cambrils-urlaub.de/english/festivals/general-information/castells---human-towers.html Information about Castells (English language)]