1. TABAL (Drum)
The Tabal has been described as a crucial accompanying festival element that heralds different parts of the festival.
It is a unique part of the Patum that participates in all the acts; its presence is constant and in some ways it directs the festival.
It has no specific place in the physical performances but is used to bring festival elements into sequence or to provide musical accompaniment for the other acts. It is said that the drum personifies the magical force that lets the clouds pass in appeasement of the weather.
3. MACES (Drumsticks)
Documented since 1628, the Maces symbolise the eternal struggle between good and evil, represented in a battle between the angels and demons. The Maces were the last festival group to be put to music, which is only played during the Patum dances on Thursday. The rest is played out to the sounds of the drum only. The Maces are accompanied by the characters of Saint Michael and an angel in Sant Pere square.
5. L’ÀLIGA (Eagle)
The Aliga was incorporated into the Patum in 1756, and dances in the lucimiento as well as on Thursday night and Sunday of Corpus. It is the noblest festival element, aristocratic and distinguished; its dance sequence is the most magisterial, unique and impressive. The Àgila is always accompanied by two other dancers that remain at its side and form part of the dance. Before starting to dance, it bows in greeting to the church and the town hall, as if conscious of what it represents, showing its respect and reverence to the two main town authorities. The Àliga symbolises the ancient town of Berga, free and confident under the protection of the Catalan count monarchy after having been liberated from its feudal constraints.
7. ELS GEGANTS (Giants)
Berga has four Gegants in total, which are grouped together into pairs. One pair is known as the Gegants Vells – Old Giants – and the others as the Gegants Nous – New Giants. Documented references exist from 1695 and the giants are related to the ancient vanquished Muslim authorities. The current Gegants Vells first appeared in the Patum in 1866, replacing the older giants; the Gegants Nous were incorporated into the fiesta in 1891. The two pairs of giants dance together.
9. ELS PLENS (Full Ones)
The Plens represent hell on earth, “the orgy of fire”, and are the climax of the festival. Documented references exist from 1628 and in the past they had formed one single group with the Maces. Their name stems from the fact that they are full of fire. The Plens have six fireworks on their heads and another three attached to their tails, as well as a sparkler that is handheld by them or the person that accompanies them. They wear a devil’s mask and a crown and their necks are covered with a herb known as Traveller’s Joy (Clematis Vitalba) to avoid being burnt. The crowd mixes together in the Plaza Sant Pere with the Plens, dancing to a frenetic rhythm, full of ecstasy, with fire burning on all sides. |
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2. TURCS Y CAVALLETS (Turks and knights)
The origin of this folkloric dance is seen as the primitive representation of an agricultural tribal dance which became linked to the religious fight between the Christian Cross and the Muslim Crescent Moon, during the course of it development. Four Christian knights with daggers and four Turks with scimitars simulate a battle, which is always won by the knights.
The first referenced date is 1628 although the current Turks and Knights were constructed in 1890, the same year that the music currently danced was also introduced.
4. LA GUITA
The Guita is the first recognised festival element from the Patum that dates back to 1626. Named in the past as mulasa (mule), mulafera and mulaguita, the Guita is a unique infernal monster with a mule’s body, horse’s tale, giraffe’s neck and dragon’s head. At first there was only one, la Guita Grossa – Big Guita – but in 1890 the Giuta Xica – Little Guita - was incorporated into the festival, known locally as the Boja – the Mad One. The Guita is the only festival element that is accompanied only by the Drum. The Guita is the personification of fire under control while the Plens represent the dominance of fire.
6. ELS NANS VELLS (Old Dwarfs)
The Nans Vells have been a documented part of the Patum since 1853 and were a donation by Fernando Moragues Ubach, the first representative at the courts from the district of Berga. These four characters are identical and wear three-pointed hats as well as longhaired wigs held back in a pony tail with a bow; they play castanets while they dance.
8. ELS NANS NOUS (New Boys)
The Nans Nous first came into being in 1890. There are four in total, all of which are different. The characters represent two couples, one young and the other old that dance to the harmonies of a playful melody, composed at the end of the XIX century by Quimserra.
10. TIRABOL
The Tirabol signifies the end of the Patum, although it is not an official festival element. The Tirabol celebrates success for another year running and the repetition of the Patum. The Gegants and Guitas dance together with everyone else in the square to the rhythm of the drum and repetitive melodies. The Tirabol is a dance of victory. |
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