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April 10th, 2009 – April 13th, 2009 Festa del Ball del Cornut – The Dance of the Cuckolds Apr 05, 2009The dance of the cuckolds, that’s the name of a traditional holiday conducted every year in a small town called Cornella del Terri. All the fun begins when a big pine tree is picked out to be cut down and cleaned from all branches. Big bull horns area nailed to the trunk. The tree is cut on Passion Friday (Good Friday), which happens to occur on April 10th this year. This marvel is accurately placed in the main square on the last day of Easter, which in 2009 happens to be on April 13th.
The pine tree with horns is called “May Tree” and the most interesting things happen around it. Many young women dressed in national clothes and the Cuckold, a man with ram horns on his head, dance around the horned pine tree. The Cuckold either wears black or red pants and a bright red shirt. In fact there can be more than one Cuckold as this insanity takes place in relation to a very old tradition – the right of the first night (primae noctis) was abolished in 1337 in Catalonia. Until this rule was abolished the young wives spent the first night after the wedding with the local lord instead of their lawful husbands. This way the husband became a cuckold on the very first day of his marriage.
The abolition of primae noctis became a real holiday, celebrated until this day exclusively in Cornelia del Terri! Beside the dance of the Cuckolds you will have a chance to witness the usual holiday entertainment in the form of traditional music, carnival, wine and local cuisine. Back to news
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