Bolero, Flamenco, Jota, we’ve all heard something about it. But what is it exactly and where does it actually came from? Are its real Spanish dances or are they create somewhere else in the world? We can already tell you that dancing is a real Spanish tradition.
Today in our blog we speak about traditional Spanish dances and their origins.
In our Spanish school we believe that learning Spanish is not just about studying it, but about knowing the Spanish culture and local traditions. And dances are a very important part of any culture in the world.
THE FLAMENCO
This dance is one of the most famous dances in the world. It is also one of the famous Spanish dances. The Flamenco is created in the second half of the 19e century in Andalusia, the south of Spain. It emerged among the gypsy communities of Andalusia and is performed by a mixture of singing, guitar playing, dancing, finger snapping and hand clapping.
THE BOLERO
The Bolero, one of the oldest and most traditional dances in Spanish history. It is a fast dance with sudden breaks and sharp spins. The dance comes originally from Spain, but it is very popular in South-American countries. The dance is of moderate pace and is accompanied by guitar music and castanets and is usually performed either by a soloist or by a couple. Although the dance has fallen somewhat out of fashion, it remains important for Spain.
THE JOTA ARAGONESA
The fast tempo in de dance Jota originally hails from Aragón but it is popular in Valencia and with minor modifications throughout the rest of Spain. It reflects the local culture and history. This dance probably contains Moorish influences and is loosely dedicated to a Moorish poet, who was banished from Valencia in the 12th century.
The Jota is typically danced in two’s as couples raise their hands above their heads playing castanets. In its purest form, the dance is very complex, with fast foot movements and small jumps.
These were only three of the many dances out there, but we hope you liked it. Perhaps we can do something with dances in our Spanish school, this way our students can get to know a bit more of the Spanish culture. Also, Valencia has enough dance schools where you can take a nice dance. Want to read more about different types of dance?
