La Octava del Corpus

La Octava del Corpus is a celebration full of symbolism in Peñalsordo, a little town located at the east part of Extremadura. The horsemen wear flashy clothes to recreate the momment when the christian troops conquested the Castle of Capilla.

Legend has it that the fight to take the control over the Castle of Capilla led General Cachafre devised a plan to obtain the control of the muslim castle. Thus, they promised to the Blessed Sacrament if they gets a victory over arabs troops.

The General Cachafre brought all rams of the zone together and put flares on their horns. Thus the rams dressed up, the General and the soldiers headed towards the castle. The image made of the fire and the sound they produced scared the muslims and they run away from the fortress.

When the christian 'troops' reached the castle there were just 3 people: a grandfather, a grandmother , and a little boy whose name was Rafaelito.

Cachafre kept his promes and he founded the religious brotherhood. This tradition has survived over the time and the brotherhood has the mission to keep up the memory of this historical event.

The celebration begins on the Saturday afternoon, the night before the Corpus Day (it is celebrated in May). The Captain, dressed up with the characteristic costumes of this celebration, collects all the horsemen at their houses in Peñalsordo. They have put wicker baskets burning in the facades and they join the procession with torches.

When all the horsemen have joined the parade, they together with the Bullidor read out the Mojigangas, satiric and ironic verses relating to the happenings in Peñalsordo. This moment takes place in the midnight and all this night.

On Sunday, Corpus Day, the horsemen get on their horses and walk towards the Castle. The outstanding costume is made of colourful dresses, embroidered silk shalws and a hat. Besides the play castanets and other musical instruments to demonstrate their joy. All go to Cacho Jesa, a nearby place in the country. They are accompanied by the the grandfather, the grandmother and the little boy Rafaelito, as the people found when the castle was conquested by the christian troops.

This picturesque celebration ends with two neighbours dressed up as heifers chasing the horsemen.

Back

Print Send