Jitanès largo
The Jitanès is a lively folk dance of the Barzuna of Cape Cross and Carrington Parish. The Jitanès is similar to the Salto, and dancers for both often wear Brunanter traditional clothing.
Etymology[]
The name "Jitanès" is derived from the Barzuna for "Gypsy"; literally it means "of/from the gypsies".
History[]
The Jitanès likely originated in the late 17th and in the 18th centuries. As its name suggests, it was likely influenced by Gypsy dances, including Spanish ones like the Jota and the Flamenco, as well as classical Brunanter music like the Fandango. There are also some Arab influences in the dance. The Jitanès was widely danced from the 18th century onwards and it was very much a popular dance at the time.
Styles[]
There are two styles to the Jitanès: the Jitanès largo and the Jitanès-a-dos. The largo is a slow, sorrowful variation which is usually sung and accompanied by the guitar, mandola and the accordion. Unlike the Largo, the Jitanès-a-dos is a fast couples dance, with its music derived from Brunanter fandango.