Dança Folclórica Portuguesa
Portuguese Folklore Dance
Representing the region of Minho, Portugal
ANASOFIA ROSAS
ANTH452
ABSTRACT
The Portuguese dance style presented is specifically from the region of Minho, located in the far northwest of Portugal. Folklore dance from here is bright, lively, and upbeat making it hard for spectators to restrain themselves from joining in. Costumes are colorful, intricate, and heavily layered each obtaining a specific meaning. Musicians and dancers join in unison creating intricate performances and embrace traditions that have been present for centuries. Local groups throughout Minho are called “Ranchos Folclóricos”. Minho is a style of dance that is still strongly embraced and those native of the area are proud to represent themselves through this style of dance.
Photo of me performing with my dance partner, Tommy
*My own photo*
RESEARCH
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Portuguese folk music contains various types of genres like, classical, folk and even popular music heard throughout the country. There are differences within som genres but there are also some that have consistently sounded the same since they were discovered. Over time and exposure to other countries, Portugal made majority of their genres their own since song of their songs were sang with “unprintable words” (Leça, 1955). With performances with the region of Minho, spectators have a hard time restraining themselves from singing and dancing along. Afterall, the goal of performance is to share traditions in a way that allows viewers to connect and understand the importance of their folklore.
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Performances consist of upbeat music, intricate costumes, and many performers. Women wear layered costumes finished with a headdress and goloshas (shoes).
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Rancho Folkloricos typically perform in a public settings like, festivals, parties, and special occasions. Their public performances are in hopes to form relationships with spectators in order to fully share the beauty of dance from the region of Minho.
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Photos diecting me in full costume (green).
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Photo depicting entire dance group and I prior to a performance (red).
Rancho Camponeses do Minho
*not my affiliated group*
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Leça, A. (1955). The Historical Stratification of Portuguese Folk Music. Journal of the International Folk Music Council, 7, 21–22. https://doi.org/10.2307/834528
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Minho, R. C. D. (2021, July 3). Rancho camponeses do minho on Facebook watch. Facebook Watch. Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://www.facebook.com/rancho.camponesesdominho/videos/1436090843157678.
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Public folklore. OSU MediaSpace. (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2022, from https://media.oregonstate.edu/media/t/0_3tzet3ii
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Sims, Martha, and Stephens, Martine. 2011. Living Folklore, 2nd Edition : An Introduction to the Study of People and Their Traditions. Logan: Utah State University Press. Accessed
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“Tradition Is Alive and Flourishing in the Minho.” Tradition is alive and flourishing in the minho" me 'N' you in Portugal, August 8, 2017. http://www.me-n-youinportugal.com/index.php?blog&nid=80.