Ethnobotany in the Folksongs of Castilla y León (Spain)

Abstract

In this study we present the results of analyzing 7,012 traditional songs from Castilla y León, compiled in songbooks published between the years 1931 and 2008. Thirty-three publications were reviewed. Plant species were mentioned in 18.7% of the songs listed, which corresponds to 1,316 songs. On average, 2.1 plants were mentioned in each song. 59% of the songs only mentioned one plant species. A total of 2,756 botanical citations were recorded. The total number of plant species mentioned was 150, corresponding to 46 plant families. The most mentioned plants were: rose (12.7%), grape (7.1%), carnation (6.3%), wheat (5.1%), olive (4.1%), laurel (2.8%), apple (2.6%), pine (2.6%), and orange (2.3%). The families with the highest number of citations were: Rosaceae, Poaceae, Vitaceae, and Caryophyllaceae. Of all the plant citations in this study of the folk songs of Castilla y León, 55% relate to plants that are cultivated. Of all the songs, 76.1% were categorized into a musical genre and 1,853 plant citations were registered in these songs. The largest numbers of botanical quotes were found in the songs of dancing, marriage, serenade, and romance. The songs of supplication most frequently cited the Poaceae; and Christmas songs, the Rosaceae. About the botanical citations, 33.6% refer to the symbolic value of the plants. In 50.7% of cases, the symbolism alluded to beauty, and in 6.9% of cases, a love proposition. The plants used most frequently to symbolize beauty were the rose and the carnation. The romantic proposal was often represented by the rose and laurel. The higher social class was symbolized by wheat, flax, and walnut. The lower social class was linked to quotes about rye or legumes.

Keywords

• ethnomusicology
• folk
• musical genre
• plants
• symbology