Paper short abstract:

Galicia is a land of music, with a musical tradition extremely rich and alive. In particular, the type of popular (folk) songs called cantigas outstands significantly. Despite several published compilations exist, little academic attention was paid to the astronomical ornaments their lyrics contain.

Paper long abstract:

In Galicia, the NW Spanish region of the Iberian Peninsula, the musical tradition is extremely rich and alive, both in tunes and lyrics, even with a very extensive variety of instruments employed. In particular, the type of popular (folk) songs called cantigas outstands significantly because of their characteristics. In general, their lyrics correspond to poems in quartets, invented by the people, transmitted orally over generations, and sung by women (called cantareiras) playing tambourines, and other percussion instruments, in groups. The themes cover a wide variety of subjects and, in particular, all jobs, trades or occupations developed in Galicia -some of them still in use. They also include love songs and a good deal of the so-called Galician "retranca" (breeching). Current cantigas are often referred to as "coplas", a term also used in other Spanish regions.

Several compilations of cantigas have been published so far. Noticeably many of them mention the Sun, Moon or stars, in various combinations and in connection with other topics. However, little academic atention has been paid to them, the so-called "astronomical cantigas", without many specific literature references available.

With the aid of informants, amateur musicians and the reviewing of books and other on-line materials, the aim of this work is the study of Galician cantigas mentioning the Sun, Moon and stars trying to extract trends, statistics and possible clues on a true social astronomical meaning for them, if at all exists. Oral tradition and written compilations complement each other in a fundamental manner for this study.