Colla Castellera d'Edinburgh
WHAT ARE CASTELLS
Castells are constructions built by members of a Colla Castellera (castellers). Castells were introduced in the 18th century in an area called Camp de Tarragona (Catalonia/Catalunya). Each castell is the result of universal values such as teamwork, solidarity, self-improvement, the feeling of belonging and the integration of all ages, origins, races and social backgrounds. It is a Catalan tradition which UNESCO declared an Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
The motto of Castellers is "Força, Equilibri, Valor i Seny" (strength, balance, courage and common sense).
CASTELLS' VALUES
CULTURE
Castells are an UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity. They promote Catalan culture as well as very important ethical values.
TEAMWORK
We encourage trust through active listening, teamwork and tolerance. All of which are indispensables to build a castell.
SOLIDARITY
Each casteller gives their effort and time to the colla, only asking the other members do the same in return. The castells create a network.
INTEGRATION
In a colla, everyone is different, it does not matter where you come from. People from different cultures share their passion for this tradition.
TERMINOLOGY
Colla Castellera
The group of people who build castells.
Castell
Human towers built by members of a Colla Castellera. Human towers are formed by people standing on the shoulders of one another in a succession of levels.
Casteller or Castellera
Person who is part of a Colla Castellera.
Junta Directiva
The management committee, led by the president of the colla. As in any association, there are additional roles, like the treasurer, secretaries and other officers. The Junta Directiva takes care of the Colla’s institutional and organisational affairs, including budgeting, organising events, and the wellbeing of members of the colla.
Junta Tècnica
The technical team, led by the Cap de Colla, takes care of the composition of the different castells and their rehearsals: who forms each level; how the pinya, or base, is structured; which towers are attempted, etc.
Cap de Colla
The head of the Colla, who decides which castells the team is ready to attempt and directs the construction of the castells from the ground. The Cap de Colla is always accompanied by a number of assistants and advisers.
Tronc
The people that form the vertical part of the castell, excluding the pinya and pom de dalt.
Pinya
The ground-level base of a castell. Most towers have this, so it is not mentioned in the name. When a castell is built without a pinya, it is described as net ("neat" or "simple"). Anybody can be part of the base. Fer pinya represents the idea of coming together in solidarity to accomplish a goal or task.
Pom de Dalt
The top three levels of the castell: dosos, aixecador, and enxaneta.
Baix or Baixa
The casteller standing on the ground at the bottom of one of the columns of castellers making up the tronc, and supporting the segon on his or her shoulders.
Segon or Segona
One of the castellers standing on the shoulders of the baixos, making up the second level of the tronc. Likewise, the subsequent stories of the tronc are called terços, quarts...
Canalla
Those who make up the top levels of the castell. They are usually children or light-weighted people.
Dosos
A level consisting of two people, supporting and locked together by the aixecador and surmounted by the enxaneta. These castellers are usually children.
Aixecador or Aixecadora
The person on top of the dosos, locking them in place. Also named as Acotxador or Acotxadora. These castellers are usually children.
Enxaneta
The topmost casteller, a child. When the enxaneta raises their hand in a four-finger gesture called the aleta, this indicates that the construction of the castell is complete.
Agulla
A casteller who stands in front of and facing a baix, locking the knees of the segon in place and relaying information and instructions to the members of the pinya and the tronc.
Contrafort
A casteller who stands behind the baix and embraces them for support.
Crossa
A casteller who fills in the space between baixos and supports the baixo’s arms on their shoulders.
Mans
A casteller who stands behind the contrafort and supports the buttocks of the segon.
Vent or Mà i Mà
A casteller who stands between and just behind two baixos and supports the legs of the segons standing on both.
Lateral
A casteller who stands to one side of a baix and supports one leg of the segon from the side.
Tap
Inserted into the pinya to fill a gap and make the pinya more solid.
Cordó
Each concentric layer of the pinya. The ones in direct contact with the tronc are the primer cordó, those behind them are the segon cordó, and so forth. Members of the outer cordons are designated by the person they are positioned behind and the number of their cordó. For example, the person behind primeres mans (first hands) is the segones mans (second hands), and so forth.
