Alka Wiki

ALKARS THE SPEARMEN OF 308TH ALKA OF SINJ

ALKA SQUIRES OF 308TH ALKA OF SINJ

Beginnings and history of alka

Croatian people of the heroic Cetina region defeated the Ottoman army in 1715, which in its conquering march tried to conquer the fortress of Sinj, an important stronghold which should have provided to the Ottoman Empire a smooth passage into the heart of Europe.

What is alka

The Alka is a tournament in which the alkar (the knight) riding on horseback aims his spear at an alka ring and pierces it.

Alka ring – alka

Alka ring is made of wrought iron consisting of two rings with a shared centre.

Alka spear

Alka spear is made of wood.

Alka procession

In the alkars’ procession there are: Duke, the troop of alkars, the troop of squires and escort.

Alka participants’ uniforms

Each alkar puts on the ancient knight uniform in the most beautiful glow, consisting of a baize dolman and trousers, silk girdle, embroidered sleeveless jacket and a shirt with filigree cufflinks.

Alkars’ racecourse

THE ALKA is held only in Sinj and only on the track called the Alkars’ Racecourse, which is on the old road Sinj – Split, at the location of Big Bridge (across the Gorućica), i. e. from the Alkar’s Monument to the old fountain Petrovac, as it was chosen at the time of Alka’s foundation.

Who can be a member of the Alka Society?

All adult residents born in the Cetina region who have love and affection for their homeland and place of origin, who enjoy social reputation among the people, and are willing to promote the goals of the Society, may become members of the Alka Knights Society.

Members of the Alka Knights Society

The Society consists of the following members:
- holders, contributors, honorary members

The Assembly of the Alka Knights Society

The Assembly is the highest authority of the Society

The Governing Board of the Alka Knights Society

The Governing Board is the executive body of the Assembly.

The court of honour

The Court of Honour consists of three members.

Alka competition

The Alka competition goes on in three races.

Points and hits

Hits into alka bring three, two and one point.

Bara i Čoja

Rehearsals precede the Alka competitions and have to start at least 15 days before the Alka itself.

Beginning and course of the competition

When everything is ready for the competition, commander comes before the Duke and speaks to him in these words: “Duke, everything is ready for the start of the first race of ------ Alka! At your orders” At it Duke orders: “Let the first race begin!”

Victory ceremony

At the end of the competition the Duke’s adjutant informs the Duke which alkar has the highest score. Duke orders him to bring the alkar.

Alka setter

Alka setter stands in the middle of the racecourse, below the alka, and adjusts the alka ring.

Alka dukes through history

Duke is the head of the alkars’ troop, squires’ troop and alkars’ escort, but he does not participate in the Alka competitions.

Commander (Alajčauš)

Commander is the head of alkars the spearmen; he replaces the Duke in all activities related to Alka and helps him to select the alkars.

Chieftain (Arambaša)

Chieftain is the commander of the Alka squires’ troop. He helps the Duke to select the squires.

Alka squire

Alka squires are handsome, well-built, broad-shouldered and personable men. They are true representatives of the Dinara-Cetina highlanders.

Armour bearer, mace bearers and edek guides

The armour bearer, mace bearers and the guides of Edek are dressed and armed the same as other squires, only they do not carry the long flintlock rifles over the shoulders.

Alka with the minimum and maximum number of points

See when the Alkas with the highest and lowest points took place.

Emperors, kings and presidents at alka

Two emperors, four kings and four presidents watched the Alka.

Alkas held outside the town of Sinj

Split, Zagreb, Beograd, Vukovar