Alka procession

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

Alka procession
In the alkars’ procession there are: Duke, the troop of alkars, the troop of squires and escort. The troop of alkars consists of alkars contestants and their commander (“alajčauš”). The troop of squires consists of the alkars’ squires headed by their chieftain (“arambaša”).
Escort consists of:
  1. Alkars who do not take part in the competition, as follows: the standard bearer and two of his six companions, and the Duke’s adjutant
  2. Two squires who lead the horse Edek, one squire the armour bearer and two mace bearers
  3. Three drummers
  4. All alkars ride upon horses, and squires with the rest of escort go on foot
  5. The alka ring setter, his assistant, the trumpeter and the gunner are a part of Alka, but they do not participate in the procession.
 
Squires are at the head, in the column of two; chieftain is between the first two squires, and in the rear, between the last two squires, is the chieftain’s assistant, and then as follows:
  • three drummers
  • the standard bearer carrying the flag of the Alka Knights Society accompanied by two to six companions with drawn sabres, all on horseback
  • the armour bearer, holding the armour upright on the chest, between the two mace bearers
  • two squires leading the horse Edek, each holding its reins at the side
  • the Duke’s adjutant on horseback with a drawn sabre
  • Duke on horseback
  • other alkars on horseback, in the column of two, holding the spear upright in the right hand
  • commander (“alajčauš”) is the last, riding and holding his spear upright in the right hand