Traditional Dance “COMENIUS” PROGRAM

Europe Spain WE ARE HERE….

Spain Castilla La Mancha

Guadalajara

Albalate de Zorita

THE STICKS DANCE “COMENIUS” PROGRAM

WHAT IS“EL PALOTEO” (The sticks dance)? El Paloteo “El Paloteo” is a rural dance used in festivals. “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España)

WHO PARTICIPATES IN THIS DANCE? The dancers are eight youth men and eight youth women. PROGRAMA “COMENIUS” “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España)

THE YOUTH MAN

THE YOUTH MAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHES He is wearing: A white long sleeved shirt, A corduroy waistcoat, A waist, A short jacket “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España)

THE YOUTH MAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHES He is wearing : Black curduroy trousers till the half of the calf, Long plain wooden socks Espadrille. “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España)

THE YOUTH WOMAN

THE YOUTH WOMAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHES She is wearing:  White petticoat with a lace trimming,  Knee-lenght underwear. “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España)

THE YOUTH WOMAN TRADITIONAL CLOTHES She is wearing:  A yellow or red skirt,  A black shirt,  An apron and  A shawl. “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España)

TRADITIONAL YOUTH WOMAN´S HAIRSTYLE She wears her hair in a bun ornamented with a ribbon. “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España)

WHAT KIND OF MUSIC IS PLAYED? “El paloteo” is usually played with a traditional flute and a small drum. “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España)

The dancers carry a pair of sticks (like drumsticks). “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España) They dance with the sticks; hit them each other with the rythm of the music.

THE ORIGIN OF: “EL PALOTEO” The dance origin is uncertain “COMENIUS” PROGRAM “EL PALOTEO de Albalate” (Guadalajara, España) Some people link it with the spanish celtic period. As the celebration of the spring arrival. Some others believe it has got a religious nature.

THE DANCE “COMENIUS” PROGRAM

INITIAL POSITION At the beginning of the music, the dancers stand in two lines and come forward dancing to the next position…

1st Movement With the arms raised with the sticks the dancers come forward raising first their right knee in two steps to raise the left one next alternately.

CHANGE OF POSITION The dancers from the centre come out turning a little until they look at their partners from the outside. Once they are the way you can see in the picture, the sticks dance starts

“EL Paloteo” Movements

Once they have finished hitting the sticks… The dancers surround their partners from the left. They come forward to the right and come out backwards, meeting the next dancer.

FINAL POSITION “El paloteo” finishes when all the dancers make a circle hitting the sticks till the music ends.

GOOD LUCK AND ENJOY THE DANCE!!