Spain has a diverse culture which has been shaped by thousands of years of occupation by different kingdoms. The ancient Greeks, Romans, Moors, Celts Carthaginians and Phoenicians who settled in the country played an important role in shaping the cultural heritage of the country. Religion (and Christianity in particular) is also an important factor in shaping the cultural diversity in Spain.
7. Social Beliefs And Customs
Social beliefs and customs practiced in Spain are influenced by the local religion and traditions. Spaniards are known for being courteous and will shake hands when they meet and when departing. When interacting with the elderly they show respect by using titles such as (don for men; and dona for women). Married women wear wedding rings on their right hands as opposed to the left hand.
6. Religion, Festivals, And Holidays
Christianity is the dominant religion in Spain with the vast majority of Spaniards identifying themselves as Christians. A 2017 report from the Spanish Centre for Sociological Research established that 69.3% of Spaniards identified themselves as Roman Catholic Christians while 26% of the population identify themselves as atheists. However, despite the popularity of the Roman Catholic Church in Spain, the denomination has experienced a steady decline both in followers as well as clergy with the number of nuns in the country dropping by about 7% between 2000 and 2005. The 2017 study also revealed that 57.8% of Roman Catholics rarely attended mass. Islam is the second largest religion in Spain with about 800,000 citizens identifying as Muslims. The rise of Islam in the country is attributed to the influx of immigrants from Morocco in the 1990s, many of whom were Muslim. Jews make up a minority of the population with about 1% of Spaniards practicing the Jewish religion, with the majority being found in Madrid and Barcelona. Other religions practiced in Spain include Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Paganism.
Spaniards are known world-over for their love of celebrations and festivals. These festivals are locally known as “Fiestas ” and include Las Fallas. Held in March in Valencia, Las Fallas is arguably the largest celebration in Spain and features parades, fireworks, dancing, and ceremonial burning. Another top festival is the Carnival which is held annually 40 days before Easter in the city of Cadiz. Spain also has several national holidays which are observed all over the country and include New Year’s Day (observed on January 1st), Day of Epiphany (held on January 6th), and Labor Day (observed on May 1st). Also the Constitution Day (observed on December 8th) and Christmas Day (held on December 25th).
5. Music And Dance
Spain has a vibrant music and dance scene with a wide array of genres ranging from traditional, classical music to modern genres. The music and dance are widely influenced by the cultural diversity of the country with different regions having distinct music styles. The region of Andalusia is known for the flamenco music and dance which incorporates the traditional seguidilla style. Other popular genres from the region include Sephardic and copla genres. Some notable musicians from Andalusia include Carlos Cano, Javier Ruibal, Joaquin Sabina and Luis Delgado. The Aragon region is known as the birthplace of Jota music which is popular all over the country which features the use of tambourines, guitarro (a small traditional guitar), castanets, and the bandurria. The stick-dance, as well as the dulzaina dance, originated from Aragon. In the Canary Islands, a variation of Jota music known as Isa is common and is widely influenced by Cuban music. Catalonia is known as the home of the Rumba Catalana, a type of rumba music created by the Catalan gypsies with Rock Catalana being the popular music genre among young people from the region. In Valencia, Jota music is popular among residents who are also popular for performing bandes, local brass bands.
4. Literature And Arts
Spanish literature includes all publications written in the Spanish language by Spanish writers. Literature in Spain has a rich history going back hundreds of years. One of the most popular literary works in Spain is the “La Celestina,” a 1499 book written by Fernando de Rojas which is considered by many people as the best example of Spanish literature in history. A popular literary genre of Spanish literature is the picaresque novel whose origin is traced back to a 16th-century novel entitled “Lazarillo de Tormes.” Spain also has a reputable art scene with accomplished artists such as Salvador Dali, Antoni Tapies, Juan Gris, and Joan Miro being known world-over. However, the most famous Spanish artist is Pablo Picasso whose catalog of works includes sculptures, painting, ceramics, and drawings. The best locations to sample Spanish art at its finest are through its museums which include Prado Museum, the Reina Sofia National Museum, and the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.
3. Cuisine
Spanish cuisine is primarily drawn from Jewish, Andalusian, and Roman traditions and closely resembles Mediterranean cuisine. Common characteristics of Spanish cuisine include the use of olive oil with Spain being one of the largest producers of olives, the use of onions and garlic and the partaking of wine during meals. Most meals prepared in Spain have potatoes, beans, pepper, and tomatoes as key ingredients. Some popular Spanish dishes include Escabeche and the Merienda. A common snack enjoyed all over Spain is the tapa which is served either cold or hot in restaurants and bars. Spain is also home to many world-class chefs who include Sergi Cola, Ilan Hall, Penelope Casas and Karlos Arguinano among others.
2. Clothing
The clothes worn in Spain feature both traditional as well as modern influences. Young Spaniards, particularly from urban centers, spot western-styled clothing such as jeans and sundresses. However, there are numerous attires in the country which exemplify the traditional Spanish culture and include the Zamarra (a long coat made of sheepskin), the Barretina (a traditional male hat popular in Catalonia), the Traje de flamenca (a long dress worn by Andalusian women), and the Sombrero cordobes (a wide-brimmed hat commonly worn in Andalusia).
1. Sports
Soccer (also known as football) is the most popular sport in Spain with the local football league known as the La Liga being dubbed as “the best football competition in the world.” The La Liga features world-famous football teams such as Real Madrid and Barcelona with global superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi playing for Spanish football clubs. The Spanish national football team has many world-class players and boasts of winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Tennis is another popular sport in Spain with the country winning the Davis Cup five times. The country has also produced record-breaking tennis players led by Rafael Nadal who became a tennis Olympic Gold medalist in the 2008 Summer Olympics.
By Joyce Chepkemoi
•culled from www.worldatlas.com
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