La Isa, the typical song and dance of the Canary Islands

Joy and musicality are very marked elements within the Canarian culture. The Isa is a typical dance that contains in a great way both ingredients and that represents the joy of the Canaries since the nineteenth century. Today we will know more about the Canarian isa, dance and singing.

Origin of the Isa

It is a typical dance composed of a whole "perfectly choreographic ritual" that adds dance and singing, and that today is an essential part of the repertoire of the most important Canarian folklore groups. But where does this traditional dance come from?

The meaning of this word is "jump" in the Canarian vocabulary, which denotes the joy that this dance possesses.

First of all we can not stop talking about the history of the Canarian Isa and everything that influenced the culture at the time so that this cheerful and at the same time stylized dance was born.

In this sense, it is necessary to mention the Conquerors of the islands, who brought to them the so-called jotas, which comprised a set of songs and choreographic dances that were performed with specific elements such as castanets and the typical costumes of men and women, which were very particular and that until now are preserved almost the same in the isas.

These dances were performed in pairs, but included a group of people and in it they exchanged couples choreographically while following the changing rhythm of the song that varied between stanzas and choruses.

Arriving in the nineteenth century, the Canarian jacks were modified and the isas were born, which have enough similarity with the jacks, but were eliminating elements, such as castanets. These were used to carry the rhythm with the hands while dancing, but when eliminated, only the movements that resemble snapping with the fingers to the rhythm of the music remained.

Another of the modifications is in the rhythm followed by the jota which is variant, in contrast, the isa tries to follow the same rhythm in its stanzas and choruses to maintain synchrony in the dance maintaining dance steps throughout the song.   Some instruments were also added that differentiate them from the jotas, jotillas or canarian folias.

Singing is an important part of the Canarian isas, however, unlike the jotas, it is not the protagonist, since in the latter, it seeks to shine the variations and intensities that the singer can execute with his voice. While in the isas it is tried not to give so much prominence to the voice or to the musical arrangements, so that the dancers can perform a dance with a constant rhythm.

This, however, does not negate the excellence and precision with which both the singing and the instruments that make up the isa must be executed.

How the Isa is danced

Now, since we have known where this spectacular dance comes from, let's delve a little into its characteristics and how it is performed, you will be surprised at everything that the musical protocol entails to perform this dance representative of the Canarian culture.

The isa is characterized by being a joyful dance that is composed of figures that are performed throughout the musical piece. Although it is a cheerful dance in itself, unlike the jotas it is a little quieter.

The same count of several parts, starting with four main chords that are followed by an instrumental tail, the singing is included little by little. As the song progresses, the dancers perform chain steps that become more complicated throughout the piece.

It is done in a wheel and the steps are in pairs, however, one of the dynamics is the change of couple throughout the dance. Although it is a couple dance, the isa is danced loose.

The rhythm of the isa can be described as ternary, very pleasant and not so slow, because the intention of it is to transmit joy and desire to celebrate. It is a lively and jovial dance where the dancers include different figures that make this folk style look peculiar.

The couples also seek precision in their movements, so that the influence of the nineteenth century and the cultured dances of this time is evident in this dance. Today there are also isas in individual pairs which we will talk about later.

Among the characteristics of this dance, it also highlights the clothing and costumes worn by the dancers, which are the typical costumes both female and male of the Canary Islands, which have their origin in the time of the Renaissance.

The women's wardrobe is characterized by hats with scarves that are tied to the chin of the ladies. Some wear long veils under the hat that reach hip height. The top is usually thick and quite covered and with gloves.

The skirts of the ladies are wide, with shipowners that increase their size. Normally the clothes are made with silk and linen.

Men, on the other hand, wear the characteristic shorts with long socks and pointed shoes. The upper part in addition to linen or silk shirts, is also characterized by vests or sacks that give it a very elegant posture and shape. Hats and gloves are also part of the dancers' clothing.

Typology of the Isa

This tradition contains in itself several complex elements that clearly differentiate it from other dances such as the jota, it is important to know them because it is just what makes the isa, from the time it is sung until it is danced is very particular in the cultural events of the archipelago.

Today there are different types of isa where the traditional isas stand out, which are very cheerful and where group and synchronized dances between several couples are integrated. It also highlights lounge island, which is a little more stylized.

Within the typology of the isa, the squares and the corros stand out, which are the positions that the dancers take and that vary in the arrangement of semicircle or complete circle.

Among the different isas of the Canary Islands we can describe the following styles:

·         Isas de Gran Canaria: it is the fastest of the whole archipelago and the dance is composed of pictures and corros.
·         Isa de Lanzarote: whose steps are easier.
·         Isa de Fuenteventura: it is also known as isa corrida or isa de salón and is one of the most stylized.
·         Isa de la Palma: one of the most elegant styles of isa in the archipelago.
·         Isa de Tenerife: it is a more formal style of isa, which is also seen in La Gomera and El Hierro.
 

Photo source: https://youtu.be/kyRvfeVctkY