Carnival Song and Society: Gossip, Sexuality and Creativity in Andalusia

by Jerome R. Mintz

Overview

Carnival songs resemble a tabloid newspaper in their verve, spirit and range of themes. They are a measure of social change and an annual summary of events and opinion. The songs involve considerable artistry and are renowned as well for their raucous humor and vulgar concerns. (Promiscuity and sexual misalliances are common subjects.) Banned by Franco during the Spanish Civil War, the Cádiz carnival began a revival in the 1960's following decades of repression. This fascinating book examines carnival song and society during the last years of the Franco dictatorship and the succeeding period of the new constitutional monarchy, when the Andalusians found their voice and Carnival enjoyed an extraordinary florescence. Songs from rural and urban carnivals in several locales throughout the province of Cádiz provide a compelling picture of Andalusian life in both troubled and more flourishing times.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781859731833
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/01/1997
Series:	Explorations in Anthropology
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Jerome R. Mintz Professor of Anthropology,Indiana University

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements, Prologue, 1. Carnival in a Rural Town, 2. A Round of Criticism, 3. Social Problems in the Repertoire of Los Llorones, 4. The Rivalry, 5. A Country Poet, 6. Old and New Voices, 7. Sexual Targets, 8. Women and Carnival, 9. Carnival in the Capital, 10. The People's Carnival in the Capital, 11. Poet of the People's Carnival, 12. Trebujena, 13. Epilogue: The Structure of Carnival Song and Celebration, Other Works by Jerome R. Mintz, Index

Editorial Reviews

In this delightful book, the late anthropologist, Jerome Mintz, brings his many years of historical and ethnographic research on Andalusiansociety and culture to bear on the fascinating traditiion of carnival..., banned shortly after the civil war by Franco and believed to be dying out. Mintz tells a different and more complex story of repression, revival and commercialization.

South European Society and Politics

This book will be of interest to someone with a keen interest in either carnival or local history.

Anthropology in Action

[A] delightful study of the poets and songsters of Andalusia . . . Supremely logical and lucid, the supporting documentation comprehensive and convincing. Weeks after my initial reading I can summon up fond memories of my favourite characters, their wittiest punchlines and their more notorious escapades.

British Journal of Ethnomusicology

[A] delightful study of the poets and songsters of Andalusia . . . Supremely logical and lucid, the supporting documentation comprehensive and convincing. Weeks after my initial reading I can summon up fond memories of my favourite characters, their wittiest punchlines and their more notorious escapades.” —British Jourbanal of Ethnomusicology

“This book will be of interest to someone with a keen interest in either carnival or local history.” —Anthropology in Action

“In this delightful book, the late anthropologist, Jerome Mintz, brings his many years of historical and ethnographic research on Andalusiansociety and culture to bear on the fascinating traditiion of carnival..., banned shortly after the civil war by Franco and believed to be dying out. Mintz tells a different and more complex story of repression, revival and commercialization.” —South European Society and Politics

From the Publisher