Tamborrada next to the Cathedral of El Buen Pastor in San Sebastián

Las tamboradas

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In some Spanish towns, the traditional fiestas include processions accompanied by tambores (drums). This is what is known as tamboradas (collective drumming). Some of these celebrations have been listed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

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The tamborradas of San Sebastián began in 1881 when the City Council presented the city’s culinary societies with the drums and uniforms of the Napoleonic troops in order to organise a group parade. With this tradition, the city celebrates its patron saint's day every 20 January.The tamborada of Calanda, in Teruel, is said to have begun in 1627 when a friar suggested people bang pots and pans during the processions. In Hellín, Albacete, the tamboradas began in the 18th century when the Procesión de los Azotes, a parade of flagellants, was led by musicians and drummers.Here are some of the cities where the history and tradition of the tamboradas have managed to survive to the present day.

Every year, this drumming creates a fascinating and evocative sensory environment, full of emotion, culture and tradition. Divided into categories such as recreational and devout, or as civil and religious, the tamboradas represent the transmission of a cultural legacy from generation to generation, with the more experienced drummers showing the younger ones how to play and march. Also, the drums and the costumes are made by traditional artisans, contributing to the local economy.Tamboradas during Holy WeekIn many places in Spain, the tradition of the tamboradas is especially linked to Holy Week. In 2018, UNESCO decided to include these collective drumming rituals in its list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting the celebrations that take place in: Baena (Andalusia); Albalate del Arzobispo, Alcañiz, Alcorisa, Andorra, Calanda, Híjar, La Puebla de Híjar, Samper de Calanda and Urrea de Gaén (Aragón); Agramón, Hellín and Tobarra (Castile-La Mancha); Alzira and Alcora (Comunidad Valenciana) and Moratalla and Mula (Murcia).