The Fandangos

Abstract

This article examines the fandango, a dance of colonial origin that offered a means of escape from the rigid social norms of the time. Despite the lack of precise musical documentation, the article explores the roots of the fandango in the Iberian Peninsula and its evolution in America during the colonial era. It argues that, although the fandango originated in Spain, it was transformed into an authentically American cultural manifestation through the integration of local elements. Through various historical sources and testimonies, it details how the fandango, with its provocative movements and infectious music, challenged the social norms of the time and caused scandal. The study also highlights how the fandango was adapted in colonial Ecuador, where it remained a popular expression despite censorship and attempts at repression by the clerical authority. The article concludes that the fandango, as a dance and cultural phenomenon, reflects the tensions between tradition and social liberation in colonial America.