The rhythms of the jota and the uniqueness of the pujadas to be able to dance in the center of the circle have once again been protagonists this Sunday in Miguel Esteban (Toledo) on the occasion of the Jota Pujada festival, which has been celebrated for more than 300 years and that makes the miguelete carnival unique in the world.
Bidding, dancing or simply watching dance, all those present have fully immersed themselves in this ancestral custom in which they bid to have the privilege of dancing the jota in the center of the circle, following a tradition prior to the year 1751 as it appears in a document kept in the parish archive.
See the full gallery (10 images)
As tradition marks, those in charge of opening the circle have been the Captains, a position that this year has an institutional character since in the absence of captains due to the uncertainty generated by the pandemic, it has been the Miguelete City Council who has taken a step forward so that this party had this symbolic figure.
Thus, the Councilor for Celebrations and Traditions, Mari Nieves Patiño; the Department of Culture, Esperanza Ramírez; and the Councilor for Finance and Employment, Marcelino Casas; They have been in charge of representing the town of Miguel Esteban as captains of this unique party, the Consistory has reported in a statement.
The Captains have begun by starting with the flag, that is, making movements with the Spanish flag to the rhythm of the notes played by the municipal music band. The councilwomen have done it to the beat of a melody and the councilman under the double of a drum, another of the hallmarks of this ancestral tradition.
After dancing the first jota accompanied by the mayor of Miguel Esteban, Pedro Casas, the Capitanes have handed over the baton to different groups of four people who, as a family or with friends, have been bidding –still in pesetas– to be able to dance in the center of the circle the 'jota migueleta' or the so-called 'jota peasant', depending on the amount of the bid.
The mayor recalled that "it is a very traditional and much loved festival in Miguel Esteban" as well as being a differentiating element of the miguelete carnival and pointed out that "we want to continue pushing for this centuries-old tradition that is an emblem". In addition, he has stressed that "the Jota Pujada is the soul and life of our carnival, people feel it and live it" and the city council wants to praise and value this cultural asset.
In this sense, he has indicated that he continues to work to promote this festival, collecting old photos in order to form a photo library and taking the first steps to create the Jota Pujada Museum. "We want it to be recognized as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest because all of us migueletes and our ancestors deserve it," said Casas.
For her part, the Councilor for Celebrations recalled that "there are many carnivals, very important and very beautiful, but the Jota Pujada Carnival is only in Miguel Esteban" and has confessed that "it is a great pride to have scheduled the carnival and at at the same time participate as captain”.
collection
On his side, Marcelino Casas has confessed to living this moment "with great enthusiasm and very happy" and has wished "that there are many bids". In short, the Councilor for Culture and Captain, Esperanza Ramírez, has pointed out that "we were all hoping that this carnival could be possible and that the migueletes could enjoy this important festival in Miguel Esteban".
The money raised from the pujas, which was formerly used to pay for masses for the souls, is given to the municipal music band, which also plays an important role in this festival, accompanying the Captains and participating in all the 'corros' interpreting that catchy melody that resonates in the hearts of all the migueletes and that draws the attention of those who visit the municipality these days.
In addition, since last year, members of the Music Band are also the ones who act as 'animero', another outstanding figure of this party for being the one in charge of encouraging people to bid and controlling who dances at each moment in time. depending on what you pay. Eugenio Caravaca and Miguel Ángel Martínez have been in charge of animating the bids.
The 'corro' of the Jota Pujada is repeated up to four times throughout the weekend, although this year the circle on Saturday has been suppressed, concentrating only on Sunday and Friday, the day on which it is the little ones who They star in this party dancing in the circle, although in this case, without bidding, and only to keep this tradition alive.
