Ball Pagès – Traditional Ibizan & Formentera folk dance
Every saturday at the Ibiza harbour,at “es Martell” in front of the Corsairs Monument.
Of unknwon origin, this is a dance which dates back to time immemorial and has been preserved intact.
Instruments-
Drum: Elaborated using the wood of the trunk of the pine tree and animal pelt ( usually goat or rabbit)
Flute : made from oleander
Castanets : made from junipèr
“Espasí” : A percussion instrument in the form of a sword ( espasa = sword, espasí= little sword)
“Xeremia” : an instrument made from cane
Female Costume –
A black dress known as a “Gonella”, this is the most ancient form of dress and is made from wool and linen.
White dress, made from cotton with a white apron.
Coloured dress, the most recent form, the most “modern”, may be accompanied by a “sombrero” (hat), without jewellery.
Manta, with tassels and always worn with the dress.
“Emprendada”, gold and silver jewellery weared by women.
“Espardenyes” straw, canvass or faffia footwear.
Male Costume –
Black outfit, trousers, shirt or/and jacket
White outfit, made from flannel or cotton worn with a beret and a waistcoat with silver buttons.
Toca, a woolen waistband around the waist.
Espardenyes.
Dances –
The man calls to the women by playing the castanets.
“sa curta” – this element is danced briefly by older members of the community to a gentle rythim and begins the festivities.
“Sa llarga” – danced to a vigorous and spectacular rythm, pay attention to the jumps made by men.
Varionts, the “filera”, partner-swapping and the nine or twelve “Rodades” ( turns) to bring the festivities to an end.