The festival of Sant Antoni in Sa Pobla (Mallorca), held on 16 and 17 January, and were declared landmarks in 1966. At the celebrations come from all parts of the island, although it is true that there is some "bite" and other towns like Arta that also celebrated. If we walked through the streets of Arta, is common to see circles of young singing "Boti, boti, boti, Sa Pobla is not boti qui", which is to say that the jump is not Pobla Sa ...
With the holidays, it starts the winter solstice, as in many other festivals of the island, "Dimonis" or demons, are the most popular figure, but the town's streets, also wander Caparrots (big heads), giant and the Gryphon, a sort of mythological beast of almost three meters tall and 50 kgs. weight, fire-breathing through the mouth and the tip of the wings.
The holidays have a dual religious and secular, and there is evidence that already held by the year 1357, so deeply rooted in popular culture. What is not no doubt, is that San Antonio is THE NIGHT OF FIRE, present in every corner or corner, either to scare away evil spirits, warm or torrar a good sausage ...!.
The fire symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, and the recovery of sunshine which fertilize the earth. Formerly they used to scatter the ashes of the bonfires of Sant Antoni on the land to support crops.
At the same time, "dimonis" represent the temptations, access to forbidden things, good living and sinful pleasures, so without "Dimonis" no party. According to legend, the saint answered their prayers and discipline provocations.
The "dimonis" dance and dance around the fire to the rhythm of monotonous and hypnotic songs enlivened by traditional zambomba.
But San Antonio is much more, as it combines perfectly gastronomy, tradition and celebration. We can not forget the delicious pepper cokes or vegetables, butifarrones, sausage and toast or traditional sobrasada "espinagades" eel or back.
And for dessert ... Ensaimada Mallorca!
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Tags: 3 rd age , dimonis , festivals , fire , Mallorca , Sant Antoni
