Route of the Drum and Bass Drum in Bajo Aragón
Every year during Easter drums powerfully resound in the nine towns of the Historic Bajo Aragón, five of which belonging to the county of Bajo Martín -Albalate del Arzobispo, Híjar, La Puebla de Híjar, Samper de Calanda and Urrea de Gaén- , besides the neighbouring towns of Alcańiz, Andorra, Alcorisa and Calanda.
Many anthropologists and historians have attempted to discover what lies beneath this ritual and jubilant expression, which has become one of the distinguishing features of the Bajo Aragón, as well as of Spanish Easter celebrations. Some say it is the combination of ancient festivities devoted to the change in the cycle of nature -the end of the winter and the arrival of spring- together with the Christian celebration of the Passion of the Christ. The noise of rattles, drums, bass drums or cornets might be a way of warding off their fear at that time of passing, during which bells remain silent. We are reminded that the world is left unprotected from the moment of Christ's death till his Resurrection.
Luis Buńuel, born in Calanda, used the sound of drums from Easter in Bajo Aragón in many of his films. This is a cultural expression in which the residents of these villages pour their enthusiasm and emotion, and which never fails to stir visitors.
