Music & Rituals
For this section of the blog I would like to share music and rituals from Spain. Many people think that in all Spain the music and rituals are the same everywhere, that is not so. In Spain there are 6 different official languages: Spanish, Catalan, Valencian, Galician, Basque and Aranese. Therefore, there are many different traditions as well as rituals and music. I am going to show you different examples of music and rituals that can be seen in different parts of Spain.
Let's start with Catalunya: Catalunya is located in the eastern part of Spain and Spanish and Catalan are spoken. In Catalunya they have a typical ritual called "La Sardana". La Sardana is a dance that is danced in a circle, facing the center. To the sound of the cobla, the dancers, men and women alternating in indeterminate numbers, shake hands and tap their feet in short and long steps, known to all participants. It is usually celebrated the first week of October and symbolizes: democracy, fraternity and the annulment of distinctions. For the music the following instruments are used: the trombone, two flugelhorns, the double bass and the typical Catalan instruments; the "flabiol" and the "tamboril." Normally there is no singing during these rituals.
Personally I have had the pleasure of being able to see "las Sardanas" because I have lived 5 years in Barcelona, Catalonia. I must admit that in person they are much more impressive as they transfer a lot of joy and union between men and women.
La Sardana:
Hey Joan! I enjoyed reading your blog. The La Sardana dance was really interesting to watch. I liked the precision of the steps, and the communal aspect of the piece. The entire dance was complex and beautiful.
ResponderEliminarHi Joan. This was such an interesting blog to read. I admit, I do not know much about Spain. I did not know that they had such a variance in languages and rituals. I really liked the LA Sardana as well, and I loved the skirts that the girls wore!
ResponderEliminarI really enjoyed reading your blog and learning about the music of Spain. I found the first video you added especially interesting because it is very similar to the one I have on my blog under the section about my Greek culture. They are both very different yet the group dance is so similar.
ResponderEliminarThank you for the insight into the music of Spain! I would like to say how much I appreciate being able to get a first-hand account of rituals from Spain. If you are not able to be there, I think the best way to learn is to learn from the people there and let them teach you!
ResponderEliminarI was surprised by the fact that there was no singing in the dances, however I found them to be very traditional and very peaceful dances. I had already heard a little about the castañuelas but I have never had the opportunity to use them. It’s fantastic how they manage to dance and play them at the same time, that must take a lot of practice and concentration.
ResponderEliminarI enjoyed reading your blog about Spain and the music, and I don't know much about Spain. I found it very interesting that Spain doesn't have one language but six of them. I love watching the La Sardana, I like the outfits they were wearing.
ResponderEliminarHello, your blog was very enjoyable to read and very informative. I did not know that Spain was so diverse and that 6 different languages were spoken there.
ResponderEliminar