Rapa das Bestas: Tradition and emotion

The Rapa das Bestas is an old Galician tradition that is celebrated annually from July 1 to 4 in various towns in the province of Pontevedra , in Spain . This festival, full of emotion and bravery, revolves around the hand-to-hand fight between men and wild horses.

Origins and meaning of the Rapa das Bestas

The Rapa das Bestas has its roots in ancient Celtic customs and dates back centuries. The word "rapa" comes from Galician and means "sheared" or "shaven", while "bestas" refers to horses. The festival's name refers to the practice of shearing wild horses that live in the mountains year-round.

This tradition has a deep meaning, since it represents the ancestral relationship between humans and animals, as well as the need to control and domesticate horses for their care and well-being. In addition, the Rapa das Bestas symbolizes the bravery, skill and courage of the participants who face these wild animals.

The Rapa das Bestas festival takes place in different towns in the province of Pontevedra , the best known being A Estrada, Sabucedo and Candaoso . From July 1 to 4, wild horses are driven from the mountains to the venue where the celebration will take place. Once there, the men, known as " aloitadores ", bravely confront the horses, grabbing them by the mane and ears to immobilize them. The aloitadores must demonstrate their ability and dexterity to control the horses without harming them. Subsequently, the horses are sheared and their manes are marked to identify them. It is important to note that it is carried out following strict rules and regulations to ensure the safety of the participants and the well-being of the horses. Veterinarians and animal management specialists are present to supervise and ensure that everything runs smoothly.

This festival arouses great emotion and passion in both the participants and the spectators. For the aloitadores , facing wild horses represents a physical and mental challenge, testing their courage and skills. Each hand-to-hand encounter is a display of skill and courage, generating a mixture of respect and admiration among those present.

On the other hand, the spectators are immersed in an atmosphere of emotion and enthusiasm when witnessing the Rapa das Bestas . Adrenaline is in the air as the aloitadores face off against the horses and the audience cheers and applauds each brave act. The sound of hooves, the neighing of horses and the energy of the place create a unique atmosphere full of emotion.

Rapa das Bestas as a Tourist Attraction

The Rapa das Bestas is not only an event of great cultural importance, but also a tourist attraction that attracts visitors from all over the world. Every year, thousands of people flock to Galician towns to witness this unique festival and immerse themselves in the tradition and emotion that surrounds it.

This event has become a symbol of Galician identity and has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2019. This recognition has contributed to giving greater visibility and prestige to this festivity, attracting even more attention from tourists and promoting the preservation of this ancestral tradition.

This celebration not only has a cultural impact on the local community, but also on the preservation of wild horses and the environment . This festival contributes to maintaining the tradition and ancestral knowledge of the relationship between human beings and animals, as well as promoting respect and care for nature. In addition, Rapa das Bestas has given rise to the creation of associations and organizations dedicated to the protection of wild horses and the promotion of their welfare. These entities work on the conservation of native breeds and on raising awareness of the importance of preserving this unique tradition.