El paloteado de Cortes [The paloteado (stick dance) of Cortes]

Abstract

The aim of this article is, on one hand, to describe, explain and analyse the historical evolution of the traditional representation known as Paloteado of Cortes. On the other hand, it tries to approach the various theories that focus on the origin of its different parts: dancing, performing and recitation. These cultural superpositions of the paloteado include elements from several sources and chronology, such as the ancient stick dances, the pastorada (religious lyric of the XII^th and XIII^th centuries), the Saint Michael’s Mystery Play, the later entremeses (short farces) and dances that come from the indoctrination of the XV^th and XVI^th centuries, as far as the current oral literature that changes every year.