If you want to know the true essence of Ibiza, beyond its beaches and parties, you can not miss the Ball Pagès, the traditional Ibizan and Formentera dance that has survived centuries and is still present in streets, squares and popular festivals.
It is a dance for couples where, generally, men jump, turn and make the castanets sound around women, while they make small circular movements.
It is believed that these gestures evoke the phases of the moon, although its origins are uncertain and cannot be placed in a specific period.
Despite this, there are many who agree that the Ball de Pagès dates back to the pagan traditions of the 13th century that were performed around water and fountains, with Arab and Catalan influences .
Normally, they were initiated by San Juan, coinciding with the celebrations of the summer solstice and that, over time, these dances related to the cult of water during the summer season, ended up coinciding with different Christian festivities such as San Juan, San Ciriac or Santa Maria.
The costumes are also diverse, although normally the traditional Ibizan costume is used. Each colla, or dance group, has its own attire. Some are simpler and others, on the other hand, fill them with dresses and jewels.
Generally, the men wear a sash and a red beret combined with a white shirt and pants with a black vest. And, on the other hand, women wear various skirts, headscarves and espardenyes.