The muixeranga grew out of an ancient dance performed across much of the Crown of Aragon. As early as the beginning of the 16th century, «boixigangues» are mentioned in the city of Valencia, and in Algemesí the tradition is documented at least since the 18th century. Over time it was known by many names: muixeranga, moixiganga, ball de negrets or de locos. Many towns that once danced it lost the custom, but in a few Valencian communities it survived, each with its own character.
What is a muixeranga?
The word has three meanings: the human tower, the colla (the group that builds it), and the tradition as a whole. A performance is not only about going high. There are dances combining movement and visual tableaux, and figures — structures where balance, harmony and beauty matter as much as height. Alongside multi-level towers there are horizontal figures, with movement or finishes unlike anything else in comparable traditions. Everything rests on the pinya: dozens of people at the base who make it possible for the figure to rise.
None of this works without music. The dolçaina and tabal play the melody of the Muixeranga d'Algemesí, accompanying each build — a tune many Valencians recognise as a symbol of their people. Traditional costume, striped cloth and a tightly worn faixa (sash), completes an unmistakable picture.
Unlike Catalan castells, close cousins, the muixeranga is not competitive: it is celebration, offering and community.
Algemesí, the heart that never stopped beating
For centuries the muixeranga endured above all in Algemesí, tied to the Festes de la Mare de Déu de la Salut on 7 and 8 September. It went through hard times; in one year in the seventies it did not even appear in the procession. Even so the tradition held on, and on 28 November 2011 UNESCO inscribed the Festa de la Salut as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, with the muixeranga among its most emblematic acts. In 1997 the Nova Muixeranga d'Algemesí was founded — the first to include women in the figures.
The surge: from local tradition to heritage for a whole people
In the nineties came the first attempts to revive the muixeranga outside Algemesí. The real surge arrived in the 2010s. Castelló and Vinaròs in 2013, Alacant and València in 2014, then many more towns formed new colles taking Algemesí’s repertoire as their starting point. The muixeranga became a way to live Valencian culture in the street, in the Valencian language and with people of all ages. Today the Federació Coordinadora de Muixerangues brings together 25 colles across the territory.
Muixeranga d'Elx
Our colla was founded in September 2022 with a clear aim: to spread Valencian culture, language and customs through the muixeranga. Today we are around 50 people of all ages, from babies to retirees. You will know us by our costume: red shirt, blue trousers and faixa with the senyera, honouring the colours of the flag of Elx (Elche).
We are the southernmost muixeranga in the Valencian Country. Elx lies near the southern edge of the Valencian-speaking area, in a city where Valencian lives alongside Spanish and keeping the language alive is everyday work. That is why we see ourselves on the front line: every rehearsal, every performance and every figure we raise in the square says that here too people speak, live and make culture in Valencian. We are the muixeranga benchmark for the city of Elx and the southern regions.
Because, as we say, we stand together like a tabala — we make pinya.