Caixers, caixeres and cavallers

Decorated riders and horsewomen, representatives of an ancient society of the fourteenth century, perform a Menorcan dressage show on the back of the native purebred horses.

The Ciutadella caixers are the members of the Commission of the Junta de caixers and representatives of a group, something inherited from the estate structure of the Middle Ages. Thus distinguishing between caixer senyor (nobility), caixer casat (married), caixer menestral (artisan work), caixer fadrí (single), caixer capellà (clergy) and caixer pagès (peasant).

In the other municipalities, the board of caixers is made up of another structure, and only those who are part of the board of caixers receive a distinction as a representative of a group.

What is the difference between Caixers and Cavallers?

The caixer is a rider who is part of the Board of caixers. The cavaller is a rider who participates in the festivities without being part of the Board of Caixers in Ciutadella.

Titles received by the Caixers

Caixer senyor / caixer batle

He presides over the party and is in charge of ensuring the proper functioning of the party. He has authority over the colcada. Its title varies according to the municipality of the festivities, as only in Ciutadella is the figure of the caixer senyor maintained.

The caixer senyor is the rider chosen from among the members of the old nobility of Ciutadella, he is in charge of the proper functioning of all the acts. He presides over the festival and is elected by the Board of Nobles from among the families of noble tradition in the city.

The caixer batle is the rider mayor of the municipality or his representative who is in charge of the proper functioning of all the acts. He is a member of the city council (the mayor or a councillor) and represents the civil power. He carries the mayor’s staff.

Caixer casat / caixer menestral

A rider who represents the artisans and must be married. He goes just before the authorities in the procession.

Caixer pagès

A peasant rider from the municipality, or representative of the collective. He has the task of monitoring the behavior of the members of the horse entourage.

In Ciutadella, for Sant Joan, there are 2 caixer pagès, the tramontana and the migjorn, which also have the task of providing a lamb for the festival every two years alternately.

The caixer pagès de tramontana represents the peasantry of the northern area of the municipality and accompanies the caixer sobreposat. On the other hand, the caixer pagès de migjorn represents the peasantry of the southern area of the municipality and accompanies the caixer sobreposat.

Caixer fadrí / caixer sobreposat

A single rider, he is in charge of carrying the flag of the festivities. He represents the apprentices within the medieval guild structure, so he cannot be married. He is proposed by the caixer batle and accompanies the caixer pagès and takes care of the retreat of all the knights until the entourage goes to pick up the caixer casat, the caixer batle and sa capellana.

Caixer capellà / sa capellana

Jimete who represents the clergy, presides over prayers and celebrates the Missa des caixers. He represents the religious establishment and is a cleric, native or resident in the locality, proposed by the ecclesiastical authority. He presides over the Completions and the Missa des caixers. In popular language it is known as sa chaplainna.

Caixer municipal / caixer saig

This figure is not present in all the patron saint festivities of Menorca, as it is not in Sant Joan, but it is in Sant Llorenç and Sant Lluís, as it is a rider who represents the local municipal police.

Cavallers / caixers i caixeres

The cavallers, caixeres and caixers, by themselves and together, are the most important base of the festivities in Menorca. This is due to the fact that the figures indicated above are represented by the group formed by caixers, caixeres, and cavallers who alternate responsibilities and titles. The system of choosing each festival is documented in the protocols of the festivals.

In Ciutadella, the group of riders that accompany the board of caixers are called cavallers.

In the rest of the municipalities, all riders are called caixers and caixeres even if they are not an active part of the Board of caixers elected for that year.

In Ciutadella, in order to participate as a Cavaller , at least one of the following two requirements must be met: be a ciutadellenc and work in one of the works indicated by the Junta de caixers de Sant Joan, or be a farmer on a farm in the municipality of Ciutadella or that the owner of the property is from Ciutadella (regardless of whether the person applying to participate as a Cavaller is a Ciutadellenc).

This system of requirements is not exclusive to Ciutadella, many other municipalities use this format or very similar variants.

Caixeres, caixers and cavallers

The caixers of the festivities of Menorca have a very special connection with these celebrations. For them, the patron saint festivities are more than just a moment of fun, they are an opportunity to honor and keep alive the rich tradition and culture of the island.

By participating in these festivities, the caixers feel proud to be part of something that has been passed down from generation to generation, and their presence and participation are essential to keep the flame of these festivities alive on the island.

Check the List of Caixeres, caixers i cavallers