Folklore: Fandango Cortijorran

Subject: Folklore: Fandango Cortijorran
From: Folkiedave
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 02:32 AM

I am lucky enough to spend part of my life in Almuñécar, a coastal twon in Granada province, Spain.

At the local flamenco bar last night there was a mixed group of six (four women and two men)who were dancing what I was told was "Fandango Cortijorran" or "Cortijorron" maybe.

The women wore what I was told are called "fincas" eseentially coloured strips of silk tied to their wrists which of course looked like handkerchiefs when theier arms moved up and down. They played castanets. The rest of the music was palyed by a guitar, tiny cymbals and a bamboo cane instrument which had had grooves cut into it and was used rubbed with another piece of bamboo, to produce a "washboard" sort of sound. The dance was done as a six, and as a four and as a two, with the others just standing their. The footwork was similar to morris.

Anyone else throw any more light on this?

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fandango Cortijorran
From: MartinRyan
Date: 30 Apr 06 - 05:54 PM

There is some interesting material HERE - but with no mention of the ribbons.

Creeping slightly away; I have recently been re-reading Dana's "Two Years before the Mast", describing working on a sailing ship collecting hides in then Mexican California. He describes attending a "fandango" by which he means a three-day long dance incelebration of a wedding. Fascinating book.

Regards

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fandango Cortijorran
From: Folkiedave
Date: 01 May 06 - 03:12 AM

Thanks for that, no mention of what I was looking for particularly but a load of useful information.

I wonder if it could (way back) be morris related.

Dave

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fandango Cortijorran
From: GUEST,Martin Ryan
Date: 01 May 06 - 06:30 AM

Thought that might be the angle alright! Moorish/morisco/morris

Regards

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fandango Cortijorran
From: GUEST,Jos
Date: 01 May 06 - 04:13 PM

In Matadepera (near Barcelona) c. 1988 there were dancers (male) in a set of six, wearing baldricks and bell-pads and doing a stick dance very VERY fast. We were told it was a local traditional dance.

Subject: RE: Folklore: Fandango Cortijerron
From: Folkiedave
Date: 02 May 06 - 03:42 AM

That was a ball de bastones. Very popular and loads about.

Apparently it is spelt cortijerron. And regarded as very old.