A Capela Town Council: celebrations and traditions

The "Rapa das Bestas":

It is celebrated the 2nd Sunday of July. In the “curro” of Forgoselo, full of horses that are bring here every spring, the farmers mark the animals which live in freedom the rest of the year. It is an antique ceremony full of magic and emotion where protagonists are men and horses face to face.
The rite consists on mark and “rapar” the manes of horses. Horses are small and strong, adapted to live on the mountains since years where the winter rawness is their only company. On summer, on the other side, visitors have the opportunity of enjoying an exciting spectacle when they watch the silhouette of horses looking for the fresh breeze on the summit.

The “rapa” is celebrated in the “curro”, the place where the animals are cornered. Wild horses live in freedom at mountains. There, the most skilled farmers, called “agarradores”, have a fight with the horses, until they succeed in reducing the animals, after what they cut their horsehair and mark them. The younger animals are release, with the studs and the fillies. At dawn, the young people go up the hill following the “bestilleiro” and there they start to corner the horses. The rite starts descending: pursuit, corralling and leading of the herd, which gallop and go down, till the “curro”. In that place is where the “Rapa das bestas” takes place. The work to separate the animals is a fight between men and horses. Men, trying to immobilize and ride horses, while animals defend themselves turning over, rising up, kicking and neighing.

It is an spectacle of spectacular strength and attractiveness that, as we told before, takes place at the “curro”. Around the “Rapa das Bestas” takes place a real pilgrimage, which makes of the “Rapa” a festive manifestation. An spectacle to enjoy one of the most antique Galician festivities.

The Cream Cheese party:

It is a gastronomy festivity. It is celebrated the last Sunday of august and organized by the town council. This celebration, with a great tradition in all the area, has been celebrated since 1989 and offers degustation of cream cheese with honey. Around 20000 portions are distributed for what 10000 litres of milk are needed. The festivity continues all day animated with folkloric groups and with a trade-fair of handicraft and farming equipment.

Another religious celebrations that are celebrated at this area are:
A Capela parish festivity		It is celebrated the 25th of July
“Nosa Señora das Neves” pilgrimage		It is celebrated the 5th of august
“Santa María de Cabalar” parish festivity		It is celebrated the 15th of august
“San Braulio de Caaveiro” parish festivity		It is celebrated the first week of September