Kábilas

The Kábilas group dates back to 1860, the founding year of the Moros y Cristianos (Moors and Christians) festival in Ontinyent in honour of the Santísimo Cristo de la Agonía (Holy Christ of Agony). Although they were initially known as Moros del Rif (Rif Moors), it was in 1878 that they became known by their current name of Kábilas. As a result of their initial name, for some time they were also known as Rifeños (Rifeños).

The clothing has undergone some changes over time, and there are currently two official outfits, the gala outfit and the everyday outfit. The gala outfit is made up of a white cape and djellaba, with laces and tassels of the same colour, white shoes, a red straw hat and a leather bag. The everyday outfit is made up of a djellaba of any stripe different from that worn by other groups, green shoes, a red split hat and a leather bag.

Currently the comparsa is made up of 185 kábiles, our official band being the Alfarrasí Musical Instructional Band.

These years of history have produced spectacular captaincies and embassies. Seven Kabyles have led the Society of Festeros, accompanied by many others occupying various positions in different governing boards, twelve queens of festivals, daughters or cleansers of Kabyles, as well as five town criers.