Port of Ibiza
performed in an arena. But that’s
not the case in Ciutadella. The
games play in the plaza near the
harbor where the crowds pack in
like crayons in a Crayola box. I could
barely move my hands up or down my
sides. No announcer is employed to
call the masses to attention, just
the haunting notes of the flute and
drum beats of the Fabioler (herald)
on his colorful, pom-pomed drum.
(If I thought the night before was
frenzied, this scene cranked it up
a few more notches.)
One at a time, riders begin to gallop
toward a hanging ring that they
attempt to capture on their long
spear or lance. As they speed
forward, the crowd magically parts,
like Jesus parting the sea -- and
defying the odds, the rider slips
through. How this all happens
without disaster is like the old Xerox
commercial: “A miracle, Brother
Dominic.” Naturally the crowd roars
enthusiastically if the rider captures
the ring.
Another set of feats involves two
riders who mount their horses so close
together the men have their arms
around one another’s shoulders. They
gallop at top speed, attempting to
stay as one unit until they cross the
finish line. Again, the crowd loudly
cheers for the teams. A third game
involves the breaking of a shield.
The Church - Sant
Joan de Missa
10