The Galician culture - between traditions, legends and mythology I

When I start to write about a new topic, I look up the meaning of the word in the German Spelling Dictionary also known as "Duden". Even though I know the meaning roughly, I want to know everything about meaning and origin of the word (my friends know about this passion). 

Today's topic is tradition. What is this all about? According to Duden : "something in terms of behaviors, ideas, culture or similar...in history, developed and passed down [within a specific group ] from generation to generation [ and still endures ] ".That's a pretty good explanation though. During my European Voluntary Service in Galicia I could feel and experience what tradition means and how wondrous it is to have them.

I would like to give you an insight into the traditional variety of Galicians.

Galicia is situated in northwest of Spain at the border to the Atlantic Ocean and consists of the four provinces A Coruña, Ourense, Lugo and Pontevedra. The region is mainly known for the Camino de Santiago - the Way of St. James, which leads through the region and ends at the Cathedral of the capital Santiago de Compostela. Galicia attracts, with its breathtaking landscapes, visitors from all over the world and it differs not only in scenic attractions but also culturally a lot from the rest of Spain, mainly because of the Celtic roots. 

I'm a big fan of the traditional Galician music with its traditional instrument gaita galega (bagpipe). The best way to enjoy this kind of music is on a foliada galega. On a foliada you can listen to the charming voice of the singer, to galician lyrics and in addition to a variety of instruments; of course there is a bagpipe as well as the traditional pandeireta (tambourine ), violin, drums, accordion, flute, etc. and also the symbol of the city Santiago de Compostela, the scallop, is used as an instrument by rubbing or beating two of them against each other.The Galician music is cheerful and danceable - it makes you so happy!

Here you can listen the traditional music played on a foliada: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZjAC2sHYHk

The band (banda das crechas) is weekly playing in a traditional bar in Santiago called casa das crechas, here with the Basque musician Kepa Junkera.

... more about Galician traditions coming soon