Catalan traditions: Castellers

Catalonia has tons of traditions, but unfortunately they are not well know outside of it. Most traditions from Spain which are famous world-wide come from southern Spain (Andalusia) or from Castile (the central part of the Iberian peninsula). Who hasn't heard of flamenco dance, bullfighting or paella? But unfortunately Spain doesn't consider Catalan traditions important enough to become more than a marginal part of their tourist guides, brochures or commercials, perhaps because Catalonia is only good to Spain to pay taxes, perhaps because not even the Spaniards believe Catalonia is a part of Spain.

Anyway, Catalonia has tons of curious traditions. Maybe the most spectacular one are castellers or human towers. The idea is very easy, to put people one on top of the other to see how high they can get and then come back down. 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. Even though it is a simple concept the organisation, skills, strength and will required to complete the task are humongous.

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 Mallorca, and has become very popular. However, the best and most skilled castellers are still found near Tarragona.

It may seem a very dangerous tradition/sport, but in 150 years only two people have been killed while practising it. The last unfortunate victim was a girl who died about three years ago and this has lead to the use of helmets to protect the children. The reason why it is safe is because people gather around the tower and act as a cushion in the event of a fall. A very good example can be seen here, the biggest castell ever built: