Ruta del Tambor y Bombo
The “Ruta del Tambor y el Bombo” (“Drum and Bass Drum Route”) is an Easter celebration in nine villages of the Spanish province of Teruel: Albalate del Arzobispo, Alcañiz, Alcorisa, Andorra, Calanda, Híjar, La Puebla de Híjar, Samper de Calanda y Urrea de Gaén. On Holy Thursday (Calanda is on Friday noon) at midnight sharp hundreds of drummers start to play altogether at the same time at Town Hall Squares. This beginning of the performance is named “la Romped de la Hora” (“Breaking Time”). Each town has their own kind of drum and different colors for their tunics. The roots of the tradition probably are in some ancient ceremony, it could be from the Middle Ages, when knights of the military orders took the drum and drum bass to the region. Forgotten for many decades, Calanda drums became known through the work of his great filmmaker Luis Buñuel. However, the drums and bass drums were a sociocultural phenomenon of symbolic character in several municipalities of this territory. Sounds from the Ruta del Tambor y Bombo are the voice of a region of great values and the identity of a territory. The uninterruptedly sound of drums for hours and hours shudders and captivate those who visit any of the villages during the celebration. The best way to enjoy and understand the celebration is getting inside, take a drunk and join a group. If not, also can enjoy from outside a unique and pervasive rite with an unforgettable sound.