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Traditional Spanish dances

The most internationally recognised Spanish dance is flamenco. However, there are many others that are just as interesting, colourful and exciting. Each dance shows our culture and our historical and traditional character as well as being groundbreaking and original. These are a few of the traditional Spanish dances, their evolution and characteristics. We will continue to tell you about the dances of Spain so that you are ready to enjoy its festivities.

April 27, 2022

Aurresku of honour

Its origin goes back to the old soka dantza (rope dance), which was danced in a circle, generally made up of only men holding hands, or holding handkerchiefs, and forming a "rope". It has been danced for different purposes and by different people, which is why it has been given various names, although nowadays it is considered the traditional aurresku dance when a single dantzari dances to the sound of the txistu. The steps of the complex and beautiful dance are jumps, movements and leg lifts of the aurreskulari. It is the most typical and best known of the thirty-six dances of the Basque Country.

The aurresku de honor is a traditional Basque dance. It is danced at important events such as the arrival of kings or important people to the Autonomous Community. Also at weddings, inaugurations, celebrations... It is used as a tribute, thanks to its elegance and solemnity. It may even have been used to begin a procession. Talented dancers are called dantzari (dancer in Basque) or aurreskulari (aurresku dancer). This dantzari is dressed in the traditional way, with white shirt and trousers, white espadrilles, black txapela (beret in Basque) and green gerriko (sash).

The instrument that accompanies the dance with its music is called the txistu (a traditional Basque wind instrument played with one hand) and the tambourine with the other hand, and the musician is called the txistulari. The dance itself is made up of four parts: Aurrez-aurre (challenge), Esku aldatzea (handrail), Zortziko (contrapás) and Agurra (farewell).

Chotis

It arrived in Spain in 1850 under the name of "German polka", but ended up being called chotis because of its Scottish origin. The dance is danced in pairs to the sound of the barrel organ. The man stands on the tips of his toes while the woman moves around, holding on to the partner, in a way that makes him turn, while walking in a cross-step or figure eight, forwards or backwards. A slow dance that demonstrates the arrogance of the chulapos and chulapas of Madrid. Watching this dance while eating wafers in the Pradera de San Isidro is an unforgettable image.

In Spain, 15 May is the day on which San Isidro, the patron saint of the Community of Madrid, is celebrated. To celebrate this festive date, the people of the capital dress up as chulapos and chulapas. The men wear tight-fitting black trousers and a white shirt under a jacket with a matching black and white checked waistcoat, a red carnation in the lapel, black boots, a white scarf tied around the neck and the Madrid parpusa or chulapo cap with a flattened front. Meanwhile, they wear a tight dress down to their feet, where they have a small ruffle with lace details and little bows. They are brightly coloured and have contrasting polka dots (very small). The chulapas wear a white triangular headscarf knotted around their necks, where they attach a couple of red or white carnations. Finally, they wear the famous Manila shawl over their shoulders. These characteristic Madrilenian costumes became fashionable in the 19th century, and few people know that the traditional Madrilenian costumes are, in fact, the Goyaesque costumes.

Jota

It is such an ancient dance that its Valencian origin can only be speculated, since "xotar" in ancient Valencian was to bounce or jump and must have passed into Castilian as "jota". As it is so popular, there are different varieties (jota manchega, extremeña, leonesa, catalana...) although the most recognised is the Aragonese one. It is a dance that is expressed through singing, playing (guitars, bandurrias, lutes, dulzaina, among others) and dancing.

The latter consists of the movement of the feet toe and heel alternating with small jumps which, in the vehemence of the dance, can become characteristic caprioles or more ostentatious and picturesque jumps. They carry castanets in their hands, which they play with their arms arched and raised, moving up and down in front of their bodies to the sound of the music. The men are guided by the steps of their partners in this energetic dance.

The women are dressed in intricate costumes made up of white cotton stockings, garter belts, pololos, petticoats, skirts (in yellow, green, maroon, purple or black), a refajo, shirt, pico de jotas, handkerchief, esparto grass slippers, skirt, and waistcoat. They wear breeches, jacket, waistcoat, blouse, sash, handkerchief and both wear esparto espadrilles.

Doll

This is a popular dance that is practised in the Spanish regions of Galicia, Castilla y León and Asturias. It is best known as a traditional Galician dance, but there are also pieces from Asturias. The first references to this dance date back to the 16th century, and its name comes from molinos (in Galician muíños).

It is a dance in couples, although it can be danced in a circle. In this dance, the leading role is played by the gentleman, as he pays homage to his partner with angry movements while she moves more discreetly.

There are many variants such as the riberana. The music is usually represented by several instruments, including the Galician bagpipe, the bass drum, the tambourine and the charrasco (similar to the tambourine).