Rapa das Bestas of Sabucedo
Sabucedo rides on a sea of manes
Media from all over the world are impressed by the celebration of Rapa das Bestas
Body to body. This is the ancestral struggle in which aloitadoras, aloitadores and horses immerse themselves in the Curro do Campo do Medio, in the parish of Sabucedo, in the province of Estrada. According to legend, two sisters offered two mares to San Lorenzo, patron saint of the place. The offering would be completed if they were saved from an unstoppable plague that was ravaging the village. The promise was fulfilled and the Rapa das Bestas was born. Centuries later, with the distinction of Fiesta of International Tourist Interest, the Rapa das Bestas is commemorated at the beginning of July.
The curro of Sabucedo is the most international and excludes the use of any stick or utensil other than human strength.
The tradition is part of the daily life of the neighbours, who from a very young age go into the fields to help the aloitadoras and aloitadores, at first with the foals. Similarly, the custom of visiting Sabucedo at this time of year and helping to gather the herds in the nearby mountains is deeply rooted in the people of the nearby parishes, who for decades led the mares and stallions (male horses) of each herd to the village.
For some years now, this task - which used to be carried out on Saturdays - has taken place on Fridays. In this way, the weekend is reserved for the curro show, for which there are usually no tickets available. Whether in bright sunshine or on a cooler day, the stands fill up and the queues seem endless. It's all worth it to enjoy a unique spectacle.
During the curro, the manes of the mares and horses are cut, and they are also wormed. First the foals are separated from their mothers and it is the youngsters who are in charge of leading them to an area set aside for this purpose. The applause seems to grow louder as the cubs face each other, an image that has gone round the world. Once shaved, the animals start their journey towards the enclave where they will rest until they return to the mountains.
On Monday a new curro will be held. This time it is a charity event, as the proceeds are donated to different charitable causes. Towards midday, the tradition reaches a new point and followed, the one that leads the mythical herds of Sabucedo to their home, the mountains of Estrada.
Camping, rural tourism and family meals
In addition to spending the night in rural tourism houses in the area - which offer a special TuriRapa package through the Mar de Compostelaassociation -Sabucedo offers visitors the possibility of camping to enjoy this tradition. Thus, every year specific and free areas are set up offering showers and toilets for public use.
On the other hand, it is common to see families and groups of friends enjoying picnics in the surroundings of the curro. In this area there are also various businesses such as "pulpería" stalls.
Galician culture also has a strong presence in each edition of the Rapa das Bestas, especially through the Rapasóns festival. In the surrounding area you can also follow the route of the Vesacarballa windmills. A short path of great beauty with recently restored mills. Bridges, a sawmill open to visitors during the Rapa, the mills themselves and various water channels accompany the walker.
