Night of the Drums

In Mula, Murcia , on the evening of Easter Tuesday, the star attraction is the drum, and the drumming doesn’t stop until well into Wednesday. This is the Night of the Drums, a traditional festival where everyone who has a drum and a black tunic can take part.

The banging of the drums begins at midnight on Easter Tuesday in the Town Hall square in Mula. From that moment on, the city resounds with rhythmic drumbeats until 4 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon. This tradition goes back to the 19th century, and is a celebration which is open to anyone who wants to take part. The drummers usually wear black tunics, and sometimes the traditional pointed hood. The massive participation by townspeople and tourists in these festivities mean that you are very likely to come across a pángana (a spontaneous showdown between drummers who vie with each other to see who can play best, and longest).