Typical Clothing!

The Casteller's clothing is composed by white shorts, "faixa", shirt,"espardenyes" and shawl.

The shirt is an important element. It is the distinctive symbol between the different teams. It prevents scratches on the body of the "Casteller", absorbs sweat and is also a good place to hang if it is needed. Besides it protects the direct contact with skin, for example, with the feet of another "Casteller".

"La faixa" besides it is a traditional clothe, it is essential for castellers' activity. It is an elongated piece of fabric, like a scarf, that castellers place in the lower back to protect their back from injury. Besides, the "Faixa" allows castellers to climb up to have a foothhold where to put the foot as they rise.

In this photo you can see a "Casteller" with his own shirt and his white trousers putting on the "faixa":

The "espardenyes" are a kind of sandals typical from catalonia made by hand.

Red and White Shawl usually put on the head. In next photos you can see different places to put the shawl:

Els Grallers i el Toc de Castells!

The “Grallers”

In each team of human towers there is a group of people who play two different musical instruments; these people are the “Grallers”. They play a music named “Toc de Castells” while the constructions are being built.

The musical instruments which the “Grallers” play are “La Gralla” and “El Tabal”. “La Gralla” is a wind instrument and “El Tabal” is a percussion instrument. Here you can see a photo of each other:

 

“Els Grallers” are really important in a human tower team because they play the music that will tell each component of the group what is going on with the construction.

The “Toc de Castells”

The “Toc de Castells” is the music which is played. It is composed by differentiated parts: first, it starts with a warning that the construction is starting, secondly the tone changes while the human tower is going up. Until the human tower is going to be “carregat” (everyone will be on it), it sounds a suspense notes. When the “enxaneta” has made the “aleta” and the human tower is going down, it sounds a happier tone.  

By this way, every of the components in the human tower know in which moment is the construction and what is going on event thought they can look at it. If the human tower falls down, the “Gralles” and the “Tabal” stop playing.

I let you here a video in which you can listen the “Toc de Castells”, enjoy!

TOC DE CASTELLS

La Canalla!

Is named “Canalla” to the group of people who take part in the “Pom de Dalt”: the last three floors of the human tower.

The “Canalla” is composed by the children of the “Colla”, who goes higher.

Independently of the human tower, the last three floors always have the same composition. From the lowest to the highest:  the “dossos” are two children who take each other, the “acotxador” goes up on them and she/he takes on the “dossos” arms and on the top is the “enxaneta” who trod the “dossos” and goes up the “acotxador”.

When the “enxaneta” raises his/her arm the human tower is charged and this action is named to do the “aleta

I let you with a photo of "Pom de Dalt" where you can see the "Dossos", the "Acotxador" and the "Enxaneta":

El Tronc!

What is the “tronc”?

“Tronc” means trunk, as the part of trees. The “tronc” is the group of people who are in the vertical structure of the human tower. The exact number of people per floor depends on each type of human tower; it can be between 1 and 9 people.

Depending on the situation, the height of where each group of people is, they are called differently. For example the people in the 4^th floor are named “quarts”, the people in the 6^th floor are named “sisens” and on.

How are the people who go on the “tronc”?

In the “tronc” there are strong, agile and light people. The strongest are situated in the firsts floors and by the way it is higher, there are more agile and light people for not having too much weight in the human tower.

I let you with a precise photograph of the “tronc” of a human tower:

La Pinya!

What is “La Pinya”?

“La Pinya” is the group of people who take part in the base of a human tower. Although at first sight the “Pinya” looks like a group of people matted, but in reality, each of the persons belonging has a strategic position to help to the vertical structure.

Is it really important?

Of course! “La pinya” is essential. First of all, because it is the pillow of the human tower. If there is any problem and the human tower falls down, it will absorb the knock of all the people who are in the vertical structure.

Secondly, “La Pinya” is a part of the human tower. It is the base and it supports the vertical structure of the human tower. It gives power to the first floor and fixes the base of the vertical structure.

I leave you with an aerial photograph of a human tower in which you can watch perfectly the structure of the “Pinya”:

Les Colles Castelleres!

What "Colles Castelleres" are?

The “ Colles Castelleres” are big groups of people of all ages, that represent a city and work together as a team to achieve their goals: making Human Towers!

The “Colles Castelleres” are usually located around Catalonia but there are also some located in other countries as Santiago de Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Mont-Real and Shangai.

Each team is identified by a color and a shield that are in the shirts that the “Castellers” wear.

The most recognised teams in the Human Towers World are: Castellers de Vilafranca, Colla Vella dels Xiquets de Valls, Colla Joves dels Xiquets de Valls and Minyons de Terrassa. These are their shields:

My team: The "Castellers de Cerdanyola" !

I am a member of the “Castellers de Cerdanyola”. My team is medium and it represents the city of Cerdanyola del Vallès in Catalonia.

We make Human Towers of 7 floors. The best human towers that we have done are: 5 of 7 (5 people,  floors), 3 de 7a (3 people, 7 floors, 1 pillar in the middle) and 4 de 7a (the same as the previous but with 4 people).

I let you with one video of the best human towers my team has done! Thanks for all!