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The main characteristic of the Ball de Gitanes is the plaiting of ribbons around a large pole. This type of dance is common in Catalan folklore as well as in other cultures (such as the English Maypole dances). In Vilanova the dance was originally danced by Gypsies, possibly giving their name to the dance. One shouldn’t confuse the Vilanova dance with that of El Vallés, which is completely different.
The dance has been known in Vilanova since 1845 and was danced only by men. In the 1940s and 50s the dance appeared thanks to the enthusiasm of Mr. Almirall. During the 1960s a local group “Coros y danzas” danced it. In the 1970s the dance fell into decline. In 1980 the Agrupació de Balls Populars revived it in the form it is danced today.
This dance is made up of eight women, from two to four men and the carrier of the pole (the “estaquirot”). The main part of the dance consists of the plaiting of the ribbons around the pole making the “cordó” (literally the lace) and then the “trenilla”. Between these two parts the boys dance the “ball de galerons” and they recite satirical poems.
Several “gralla” players (short wide-bore shawm) and a snare drummer play the music for the dance.
The girls wear a long flowered skirt with petticoats, coloured shirt, carnations in their hair and a large fringed shawl over their shoulders. The boys wear a costume similar to that of the Ball de Bastons with the addition of a hat and a waistcoat.
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Ball de Gitanes
