Actos Bands

The bands affiliated to each Church are interesting in themselves, and their structure is similar, other than the one with a goat as a mascot. They have 30-40 uniformed members in four or five sections, headed by a “fighting group” of young men, who carry rifles, but also ceremonial practical tools on their backs, such as spades, axes, picks and saws (see pics). They are followed by the buglers of all ages (5 -60 years), followed by the percussionists and drummers, who together play a loud tuneless march. Some bands have youth sections with their mini rifles and small ceremonial tools (trowels, saws, axes etc..).

On the move, they march in a mincing shuffle, which can be slow or very fast, with frequent stops, when the “fighting groups” perform drill routines. These include twirling and throwing their rifles in the air, and to each other, each band trying to out perform their rivals.