Castell 165670 216220357 2008-05-31T17:31:20Z 77.121.57.207 {{otheruses}} {{Catalan-speaking world|align=right|image=[[Image:4 de 9 amb folre.jpg|250px|thumb]]|caption=Castell in [[Barcelona]],<br> at Plaça Sant Jaume.}} [[Image:Human tower, Regent St London.jpg|250px|thumb|Castell in [[Regent Street]], [[London]].]] 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 [[Mallorca]], and has become very popular. However, the best and most skilled ''castellers'' are still found near Tarragona. ==The castell== 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. == Attire == Typical clothing consists of white trousers, a black sash, a bandana and a colored shirt bearing the team's emblem. 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 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. 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. == Terminology == In [[catalan language|Catalan]] the word ''castell'' means [[castle]], although a castell with two persons per level is a '''''torre''''' (''tower''). A castell with one person per level is usually called a '''''pilar'''''. ''Castells'' are described by number of people who make up each of the levels, as well as the number of levels. The people standing on the ground (the ''pinya'') make up the first level, and the top three levels are normally different from the rest (see ''pom de dalt'' below). In the image, for instance, a '''''4 de 9''''' is depicted, because there are four people making up most of the levels, and the tower is nine levels high. The elements a ''castell'' may consist of are as follows: * '''''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. ''Castells'' up to 10 levels have been built. == 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'''] <!--- reccommend this link is kept, even though it is a german language site, as the video is an essential resource in explaining this topic --> *[http://www.cambrils-urlaub.de/english/festivals/general-information/castells---human-towers.html Information about Castells (English language)] {{commons|Casteller}} [[Category:Catalan folklore]] [[Category:Spanish folklore]] [[Category:European folklore]] [[Category:Catalan words and phrases]] [[ca:Casteller]] [[de:Castell (Menschenpyramide)]] [[es:Casteller]] [[fr:Castell]] [[it:Castell]] [[he:קסטיי]] [[oc:Castellers]] [[pt:Casteller]] [[ru:Кастель]] [[uk:Кастель]]