Artist: Spanish folk dancers
Confronting Bodies: The Catholic Church and the Spanish monarchy
Date of Action: The 18th century
Specific Location: Spain
Description of Artwork: The Fandango is a sensual dance that is accompanied by singing and guitars. Dancers move slowly and rhythmically, clicking castanets as the musicians increase the tempos. The lyrics are often political or sexual.
Description of Incident: The Fandango is a folk dance created in Spain's colonies and was brought to Spain during the 18th century. The church condemned the Fandango calling it lewd and immoral. When Spain fought economic trouble and political discontent during the early 18th century officials banned the dance and other folk cultural events. Spanish officials claimed that the Fandago was "improper for Spaniards, and offensive to the nobility."
Results of Incident: In 1776 the dance was also prohibited in the territory that is now Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia. It is likely that the prohibition of the Fandango did not last long.
Source: Censorship, A World Encyclopedia, ed. D. Jones
Submitted By: NCAC