2. CATALONIA
Sardana
The origin of the sardana is not clear. Some say that it was already popular in
the 16th century.
What remains undisputed is that the sardana was a popular dance in the
Empordà region by the end of the 19th century. Contributing to its mounting
popularity by this time were the additions from similarly popular genres such
as zarzuela and the popular Italian operas of the time, which increasingly
made the sardana a fad dance.
3. JOTA
The jota is a genre of music and the associated dance known
throughout Spain, most likely originating in Aragon. It varies by
region, having a characteristic form in
Aragon, Castile, Navarra, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, Murcia and
Eastern Andalusia. Being a visual representation, the jota is danced
and sung accompanied by castanets, and the interpreters tend to
wear regional costumes. In Valencia, the jota was once danced during
interment ceremonies.
