Horses play the leading role in all popular fiestas that are held throughout the Menorcan summer. From June to September, horses and their riders, dressed in mainly black and white and decorated with ribbons, embroidery and multi-coloured carnations, relive each year a ritual that has its origins in the beginning of the 14th century.
The calendar for the popular fiestas is as follows:
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August, almost every weekend: Es Migjorn Gran, Llucmaçanes, Alaior, Sant Climent, Ferreries (24th and 25th , Sant Bartomeu) and Sant Lluís. September 8th and 9th, Mare de Déu de Gràcia in Maó. The most traditional of the fiestas is that of Sant Joan. It dates back to the beginning of the 14th century and is religious in origin. The vestry-board of the saint heads in pilgrimage on horseback, to a small rural chapel in order to honour their patron. The "caixers" are riders who represent the social strata: the church, nobility, craftsmen (master and apprentice) and country people (farmers, one from the north and one from the south of the city limits). The "cavallers" (riders) who make up the majority of the "qualcada" (cavalcade), are all country people of different ages, from 7 or 8 to more than 70! The fiesta starts on the Sunday prior to the 24th June, known as the "Día des Be". A countryman, dressed in lambskin, similar to Saint John the Baptist, walks barefoot through the old streets of Ciutadella accompanied by the "caixers" (riders), who are also on foot, inviting everyone to the fiesta that is approaching. On the 23rd at precisely 2 p.m., the fiesta starts at the palace of the "Caixer Senyor" (the nobleman) who presides over the fiesta for a two-year period. The fiesta starts with the "primer toc" , which is the first playing of a flute known as the "flabiol". This is a simple flute made out of cane and this, together with a small drum, permanently marks time for the celebration. During Sant Joan and the other summer fiestas, the Menorcan breed of
horse has one of the most important roles, even though other breeds of
horses also take part. The Menorcan breed of horse, officially recognized
as an indigenous breed in 1989, should be completely black in colour and
slender, with rounded eyes and a lively look, muscular and powerful, with
long extremities, a noble character, energetic and strong with an elegant
and rustic appearance. These horses are suitable for any type of saddle or
harness. The Association of Owners and Breeders of the Menorcan horse work
tirelessly to improve the genes of this horse, that is very popular with
European breeders, especially Catalan, German and Italian breeders.
According to the latest research, this breed is of Berber origin and it is
one of the few totally black horses preserved in Europe. As work in the
fields was traditionally done using donkeys, the horse has maintained its
slenderness and agility of movement. Today, there are examples of this
horse of great beauty and continuous interest. But the "Caixer Senyor" (nobleman rider) is replaced by the "Caixer
Batle", who is the mayor of the town council. The patron saint fiesta of
the island takes place on January 17th and is known as "Sant Antoni". On
this day, the arrival of troops from the Catalan-Aragonese king, Alfonso
III the liberal in 1287 is remembered. From this date, the island was
incorporated into the kingdom of Aragón, after having been under Muslim
domination for nearly 400 years. |