Valencia Trader

Danzas del Rey Moro in Agost

From 26th December onwards Agost will be celebrating the Danzas del Rey Moro (Dances of the Moor King), an ancestral fiesta in which the young people of the town, those who become adults this year and dance every afternoon in the town square.

The Dances of the Moor King are some popular celebrations that still endure and are deeply rooted in the town of Agost. Every year the dulzaina and the tamboril (small drum) accompany the Danseros (male dancers), young people who have come of age this year, in the dances that are held every afternoon in front of the Town Council. Also participating in the dances are the Naranjeros, or young 17 year olds, the Quintos, or dancers of the previous year, and the Acompañaors, or defenders of the King. The Danseros get together with the Xirimiter and the Tabaleter (instrumentalists) and collect the girl dancers, who are dressed up in gorgeous light-coloured satin dresses, with floral headdresses and traditional ornamental combs in their hair.

The dances begin on 26th December and are held until 1st January, with the exception of the 31st. The big day of these dances is the day of the Moor King, who presides over them, dancing with the rest of the ballador couples.

The 27th is Rocket Night, another tradition in which the young and their elders participate and which consists in throwing carretilles at the Moor King as he travels through the streets of the town. He is accompanied by the Danseros who must go with him until the palis or palio (canopy), a wooden and cane structure below which the Moor King strolls, is burnt. Once the palis has been burnt the Danseros have to hang oranges on the balconies in the square, these will be taken down by the following year's Danseros on 1st January.