Segura de la Sierra's Folklore (EN)
Segura de la Sierra’s musical tradition has a long history behind it. There are countless folk songs that make up a beautiful legacy, though one that is perhaps poorly preserved. Few of these songs have been formally compiled, and at most only their lyrics have been recorded, since the musical notes are passed down from generation to generation through listening and learning from elders, not from any book; this makes preserving this legacy a delicate task. In villages like Segura de la Sierra, there aren’t usually professional musicians in the traditional sense; instead, those who know the folk songs gather together. Those who don’t play the guitar play the lute, the bandurria, or the cymbals, playing and singing while enjoying a glass of wine to warm up their voices. These pieces are currently somewhat forgotten by younger generations.
There are many types of folk songs in Segura de la Sierra, among which we can highlight the fandaguillos, the seguidillas, the malagueñas, and, in a prominent place, the Jotas. All these pieces are played with stringed instruments such as the guitar, the bandurria, or the lute, always accompanied by the tinkling of the cymbals. These coplas are the symphonies of the people; their lyrics are humorous, ironic, and sometimes a bit risqué—lyrics that reflect the character of the people of Segura.
We have previously noted how delicate it is to maintain a tradition like this one, which is rarely written down and is passed down only by word of mouth and from guitar to guitar. We have included some pieces from the traditional songbook of Segura de la Sierra on the municipal website of the City Council of Segura de la Sierra. These pieces are taken from a 1982–83 recording and performed by: Valeriano Galiano (vocals and guitar), Juan Herrera (cymbals), Pedro Galiano (guitar), and Miguel Cano (bandurria).
Traditional Costume: Men
Socks: made of thick wool or bandages covering from the ankle to the knee, worn over regular socks; brown or green in color.
Esparteñas: espadrilles with hemp or esparto soles and uppers made of white fabric with black ribbons.
Pants: made of plain corduroy or ribbed corduroy, black in color. Those from Pontones and Santiago are short woolen trousers.
Shirt: white, long-sleeved with cuffs.
Vest: black, made of plain corduroy. The back is made of satin fabric, also black.
Jacket: gray blouse; for younger men, blue.
Sash: usually red, made of cloth; worn wrapped around the waist, with one end hanging down to the left.
Leggings: Leather leggings, usually without a front panel, covering the legs.
Traditional costume: Women
Espadrilles: Espadrilles with straps.
Scarf: worn on the head or around the neck, black or colored.
Stockings: made of wool or cotton, black, ecru, or with brightly colored stripes, reaching below the knee.
Shirt: Long-sleeved white.
Petticoats: made of fine fabric.
Corset: collarless, V-neck, with three darts or tucks and three loops for attaching skirts and petticoats.
Petticoat: In various colors, adorned with magnificent embroidery, all of it handmade and unique, so much so that no two petticoats are alike. The hem of the petticoat is finished with a colored wool velvet trim.
Apron: generally black, with three wide pleats and lace.
Pocket: Worn under the petticoat, made of the same fabric as the petticoat.
Adornments: Gold earrings. Hairpins, combs, safety pins, gold brooches.
Hairstyles: Always worn in a bun.