La Mulassa 

The Mulassa is a figure that looks as a mule. It is carried by two people standing inside it, who make it dance, walk up and down the streets and occasionally threaten to charge into the crowd, causing much hilarity.

The oldest existing Mulassa in Catalonian, in Olot, dates back to 1414. The origins of the Vilanova Mulassa can be found at the end of the sixteenth century or the beginning of the seventeenth.

In 1629 “l’obra de l’esglèsia de Sant Antoni” (The Charity of Saint Antoni’s Church) paid 16 “sous” for the cost of the Mulassa, and in 1658 the porters of the Mulassa were paid. From 1779 the Mulassa was a ferocious and aggressive animal and fireworks were used to spew from its mouth. More recent laws have lead to the removal of this element and the Mulassa is once again a peaceful animal (mostly).

We can be certain of the dress of the Mulassa from 1869 and know that the current dress is a copy of the costume in 1902.

In 1946 a group of members of the “Fomento Villanovés” got together to raise money revive the Mulassa and the Ball de Diables for the Festa Major of 1947. For which we are all very grateful. The Mulassa has now been appearing in each Festa Major for over 50 years and has become a member of the Agrupació de Balls Populars.

There are currently three Mulasses in Vilanova the large one, dating from 1946 called “La Boja” (the crazy one), the medium sized one, dating from 1955, called “La Presumida” (the vain one), and the small one, built in 1984, called “La Cabreta” (the little goat).

Several “gralla” players (short wide-bore shawm) and a snare drummer provide the music.

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