A personal and unofficial guide to the Procession and the Dance of Death of Verges
The Dansa de la Mort has travelled outside Verges in different circumstances. Demonstrations elsewhere, liturgical performances inside a church and the circulation of images must be distinguished. Màriam Serrà records …
The Dance of Death Beyond Verges Read more...
The Tabal sets the rhythm of Verges’ Dance of Death. The local name identifies both the drum and the character who plays it. Behind the Clock, he accompanies the five …
The Tabal: rhythm and coordination in the Dance of Death Read more...
The Clock closes the group of five dancing skeletons, behind la Bandera. He carries a handless dial and points to different hours. His message is uncertainty: nobody knows the hour …
The Clock: the uncertainty of the hour in the Dance of Death Read more...
The Platets are the two child skeletons positioned on either side of la Bandera. Each carries a plate of ashes and helps maintain the Dance of Death’s cross-shaped formation. Their …
The Platets: ashes and gesture in the Dance of Death Read more...
The Standard-Bearer, also known as la Bandera, stands at the centre of the five dancing skeletons. Behind la Dalla, he carries the Dance of Death’s messages and provides a reference …
The Standard-Bearer: the message and centre of the Dance of Death Read more...
The Capdanser, known as la Dalla, leads the five dancing skeletons in the Dance of Death. The Tabal sets the rhythm and works with him to coordinate their progress. The …
The Capdanser: the scythe and coordination of the Dance of Death Read more...
The Entorxes, or torchbearers, accompany the Dance of Death of Verges and help make the skeletons visible at night. Their role connects the group’s movement, the sound of the drum …
The Torchbearers of Verges’ Dance of Death Read more...
The Dance of Death of Verges is one of the best-known tableaux in the Verges Procession. The skeletons, the drum and the objects they carry turn movement into a reminder …
The Dance of Death of Verges: history, characters and visitor guide Read more...