An escuadra is a group of fiesta participants who parade as a unit within a comparsa or filà during Moors and Christians celebrations. It is a way of organising participation in the Entrada: the larger association can include several escuadras.
Escuadra and comparsa
To follow a parade, it helps to distinguish three levels: the fiesta brings together the two sides, each side includes comparsas or filaes, and escuadras may parade within these. Names and precise arrangements depend on the town.
The comparsa or filà is the association people belong to. An escuadra describes a group within its parade participation. That is why “our escuadra is having lunch” and “the whole comparsa is having lunch” can mean gatherings with different numbers and arrangements.
The Entrada context
Escuadra has meanings outside the fiesta, but here it belongs to the festive representation of Moors and Christians. To learn about the origins and customs of a particular escuadra, ask its own association.
The University of Valencia page on Alcoy’s Entradas distinguishes the Esquadres de Negres, special escuadras accompanying each side’s captain and alférez, from the Esquadra del Mig, which parades halfway through each Entrada. These names belong to that Alcoy context.
What special means
In that description of Alcoy, the special escuadras stand out through their imaginative costumes. The adjective belongs within that fiesta’s programme and its relationship with the ceremonial roles. It does not establish a universal number of participants or an identical make-up across the region.
When watching an Entrada, look at the running order published by the organiser. It helps place each group and understand its relationship with the ceremonial roles and its filà.
The cabo and the music
The cabo de escuadra sets the group’s rhythm in relation to the music. Ibi’s competition rules assess this coordination. Daniel Catalá-Pérez’s study in Revista de Folklore explains the military influence on the ceremonial roles and music of these parades.
At a Vinalopó meal
To plan your table, start by establishing whether the gathering is just for the escuadra or a larger part of the comparsa. Agree whether you will eat before dressing, before setting off or after the parade. Assembly time and actual parade time are not always the same: the kitchen needs to know when you can really sit down.
Xepep provides meals for Moors and Christians comparsas and filaes. When you request a quote for your fiesta meal, tell us how many people will gather, where you will eat and how much time you have between events. We can then agree the menu and serving time.
Related terms
See also: Comparsa · Moorish and Christian entrance (entrada) · Alférez and captain.