The municipality of Algaida celebrated the feast of Sant Jaume this Saturday with the traditional dances of Cossiers and the figure of the Dimoni, in a day that combined religious events and popular dances.
The town of Algaida experienced one of its most significant days of the year with the celebration of the feast of Sant Jaume. Locals and visitors enjoyed the traditional dances of the Cossiers and the presence of the Dimoni, in an event that takes place every 25th of July and is part of the festive spirit of the municipality.
The day began at nine in the morning with the awakening of the Xeremiers, who roamed the streets inviting residents to join the festivities. Shortly after, the Cossiers, accompanied by the processional dance of the Bombes, guided the authorities to the church, where a festive mass was celebrated, sung by the Coral Orfeó Castellitx.
During the religious service, the Ball de l’Oferta took place, a unique dance in which the lady accompanies the cossier to the altar and kisses the relics of the saint. This year, the role of the Lady was played by Joana Maria Jaume, while the Cossiers were Abel Matamalas, Celestí Oliver, Ramon Bibiloni, Guillem Puigserver, Ricard Echevarria, and Guiem Mascaró.
While the mass was being held, the Dimoni, embodied by Joan Antoni Oliver, marked the territory outside so that the Cossiers could later dance before an expectant audience. Traditional dances such as Mestre Joan, el Rei, Flor de Murta, La Dansa Nova, Obriu-nos, and the Mergansó followed one another under the watchful gaze of the attendees.
The day concluded with the Titoieta, in which the Cossiers kill the Dimoni, thus closing the festive cycle. This year, Alexandre Rafel and Joan Salas debuted in the Revetlla, and this Saturday, Abel Matamalas made his debut as a cossier. On the flabiol and tamborino were Mateu Mulet and Mireia Oliver, along with the xeremier Alexandre Mulet.
The day before, Friday 24th July, the Revetlla was celebrated, with the novelty that the route of the Quadrat was carried out in front of the Ajuntament, at the request of the mayor Margalida Fullana. The three pairs of Cossiers, the Lady, and the Dimoni set off from the Delegació de l’Obra Cultural Balear to the Plaça, where they were received by the authorities. The Quadrat is the route marked by the ancient crosses that delimited the town, and there the Cossiers offered their traditional dances.
The feast of Sant Jaume in Algaida is one of the most deeply rooted events in the popular calendar of the region, attracting numerous visitors each year who join in the celebration. The combination of religious events, dances, and the figure of the Dimoni makes this day a unique experience for lovers of Mallorcan traditions.
For the residents of Algaida, the feast of Sant Jaume represents a reconnection with their roots and an opportunity to pass on the cultural legacy of the municipality to new generations. The participation of young people like Alexandre Rafel, Joan Salas, and Abel Matamalas ensures the continuity of this centenary tradition.
The next event in Algaida's popular culture will be during the patronal festivities in September, although for now, the memory of the Cossiers and the Dimoni of Sant Jaume will remain alive in the minds of those who enjoyed a day of colour, music, and tradition.
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