Galician dance is directly related to the festivals of the towns. People gathered in the main square accompanied by bagpipes and the girls (traditionally they were “singers”) sang popular songs. Each area and each town adopted common dance bases creating a great choreographic variety which relies on “picados” most of the time and “points” which are those produced by the “guides” that direct the choreography. Although the dances are usually loose, you can also find Galician dances with part of the hand (waltzes) or the whole mouse (polka).
The most popular dance in Galicia es la muiñeira.
It is sung and danced with the accompaniment of bagpipes, tambourine, tambourine, drum, pandeiro, bass drum, charraco and sometimes with shells (scallop). Its origin is estimated to date back to the 6th century and today it is an instrumental dance that, like other traditional dances in Spain, maintains a XVItime signature. Name muiñeira it could evoke work in the mills and threshing, leisure time associated with the waiting that the workers had to keep during the milling shifts.
In addition to muiñeira, is also common in Galicia the xota, which is composed of the same structure as the muiñeira but with a faster pace. During this and other dances it is common to hear stunned, a cry that is used at parties to encourage the dancers. It is usually strong, sharp and prolonged and easily recognizable.
The Seafood Festival is an exceptional setting for these Samples of Galician culture. During the days of celebration we have the opportunity to listen to the bagpipers in the parades but also to see traditional dances from local schools and dance groups.
