City News

Local Women Explain Traditional Water Management

Together with the Mojácar Council and the university of Granada, local women explain the traditional Mojácar water management and the role of women managing the family’s water.

The Mojácar 2022 campaign, with the so-called “Mojácar Workshop”, at which the role of the woman in managing the family’s water is highlighted, their distinctive daily comings and goings between the fountain and the homes, doing the washing, and their typical dress, one of Mojácar’s symbols of identity for decades.

Women wearing traditional Mojácar dresses during the workshop

Mojácar Council and the MEMOLab Biocultural Archaeological Laboratory are organising a series of workshops related to the Mojácar la Vieja excavations aimed at complementing the investigations and the recovery of the history and customs of the locality through the ages.

A series of workshops have been planned in this 2022 campaign, that have started with the so-called “Mojaquera Workshop”, at which the role of the woman in managing the family’s water is highlighted, their distinctive daily comings and goings between the fountain and the homes, doing the washing, and their typical dress, one of Mojácar’s symbols of identity for decades.

Mojácar women of different ages, including children, were at the workshop explaining to the participants what the typical costume of the locality was made up of, how it was put together and its complexity when it comes to making it due to the number of garments it’s composed of.

The question arises about the origin of the custom of using the scarf, which in the past would cover “half an eye” and was a sign of modesty among females of the time, as was the colour used, which was different depending on whether they were single or married.

Another of the peculiarities in the feminine attire, and an essential piece in the transfer of water, is the so-called “rodete” (round pad), which was placed on top of the head. It was essential so that the heavy pitchers, full of water, stayed balanced on top.

The image of a woman carrying pitchers of water on their head and others resting on their hip represents one of the most typical images of the locality and a Mojácar symbol of identity.

Another of the peculiarities in the water management concerns the washing of clothes and in their fountain. From its outlet from the spring through 13 spouts, the water was distributed through two parallel, but differentiated channels: one in which the laundry was done and another which flowed freely to its storage place.

Mojácar is one of the few places in which the women got into the water to do their washing. With their skirts rolled up, they put their legs in the channel in which the water flowed freely and the other was for doing the washing. The two channels were separated by a series of stones, today of marble, which served for rubbing the washing. Hence the laundry water, which had soap in it, was not mixed with the other.

The workshop was directed by Noelia Aguado, a MEMOLab community archaeology specialist, who is also in charge of the esparto grass workshops, at which master esparto grass weavers teach the almost forgotten technique of making nearly all the items used at the time, both for the home and for agriculture, and the “Mojácar Stories” workshop, which aim to recover the memory concerning Mojácar la Vieja and what perception they had of this place.

The traditional ceramics workshop is maintained and a day of drawing and painting at which the participants can paint at the dig site itself and in Plaza Nueva to capture the image of this emblematic place which inspires them the most.

Related Topics:Council Featured Local Mojácar News

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City News

Mojácar Says Goodbye to the Year With the Fifth Edition of its Children´s New Year´s Eve

This morning, the Plaza del Arbollón was filled with happiness and fun in the fifth edition of the Children’s New Year’s Eve, now a well-established event in the municipality.

Hundreds of children, both residents and visitors, gathered together with their families to welcome the New Year on a day designed especially for them.

At 12 noon, the little ones enjoyed an emotional moment with the traditional chimes, when, instead of grapes, they ate small sweets to celebrate the early arrival of the New Year.

The morning was full of activities for the whole family. The children took part in children’s workshops, painting activities, and enjoyed bouncy castles which delighted the most active. In addition, the celebration extended to the Plaza del Parterre, where a spectacular magic show kept both adults and children captivated.

The Mayor of Mojácar, Fran García, expressed his satisfaction at the success of the event: “It is an immense joy to see so many children and families enjoying this celebration, which has now become a very special tradition for our municipality. These kinds of initiatives demonstrate the commitment of our Local Council to families and to the creation of fun spaces for everyone.”

The event, organised by Mojácar Council, reaffirms its commitment to offering inclusive and participatory activities which attract both residents and visitors. Children’s New Year’s Eve has become an essential event in the local festivities calendar, attracting increasingly more participants from inside and outside the municipality.

With this Children’s New Year’s Eve, Mojácar bids farewell to the year with a smile, remembering that the magic of this time of year also belongs to the little ones.

City News

Mojácar Shines as a Model for Christmas Tourism with its Zambomba Flamenca

Mojácar reaffirms its title as the municipality of Christmas par excellence with the successful celebration of its traditional Christmas Zambomba Flamenca, an event that filled the evening with art, emotion and Christmas spirit in the iconic Plaza del Parterre.

The event brought together residents and visitors in an atmosphere filled with warmth and tradition, offering an unforgettable experience that stood out for a line-up of top-level artists. The Zambomba featured the outstanding performance of the renowned dancer Anabel Veloso, who offered a masterful performance accompanied by Mayte Beltrán and her students. With each step, both conveyed the strength and elegance of flamenco, leaving an indelible impression on the audience.

There was an accompaniment of flamenco singing by Alberto Funes and Rocío Zamora, while the guitar playing of David de la Fragua and Gabri Pérez added depthand feeling to the event. Carmen Moreno provided the percussion that marked the vibrant rhythm of the evening.

The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García, highlighted the value of this event as part of the municipality’s Christmas celebrations. In his statements he said: “The Zambomba Flamenca is not only a tribute to our traditions, but a way of sharing the magic of Christmas with all those who visit us. Mojácar is not just a place to enjoy, it is a corner where culture and art become the true driving force of our festivities. This is the essence of Christmas in Mojácar.”

The Plaza del Parterre became, once again, the perfect setting for an event that celebrated the best of flamenco culture and the Christmas spirit. The lights, the festive atmosphere and the artistic quality made the Zambomba Flamenca an essential benchmark for Christmas in Mojácar.

With this kind of initiative, the municipality continues to position itself as a unique destination to enjoy authentic festivities, full of tradition and with the unmistakable stamp of flamenco art.

City News

The Mojácar Christmas Market Dazzles With its Spectacular Opening

Christmas has arrived in Mojácar with the highly-anticipated opening of its Christmas Market last Friday, 20th of December, with a mass turnout. The event became the epicenter of the Christmas celebration in the municipality, attracting both residents and visitors with its spectacular staging.

The opening ceremony was led by the Mojácar Mayor, Francisco García Cerdá, who, accompanied by his government team, kicked off the Christmas festivities in an event that is already shaping up to be the highlight of this time of year in the locality. In his statements the Mayor commented: “Our Christmas Market is a demonstration of the cultural and festive wealth of Mojácar. It is a space where traditions meet excitement, and where each visitor can take home a little piece of the magic of our land. This year we wanted to go further, with unique activities and shows that consolidate Mojácar as a benchmark Christmas destination.”

The Christmas Market offers a wide variety of offers for all kinds of people. Visitors can enjoy:
• Handcrafted products: from handmade Christmas decorations to unique pieces of ceramics, wood and textiles.
• Typical cuisine: traditional sweet treats such as “mantecado” shortbread cookies, turron and “polvoron” cookies, as well as local offers that reflect the flavour of Christmas in Mojácar.
• Unique gifts: original ideas to surprise this festive season, including jewellery, accessories and toys.

The opening day culminated with a dazzling light and sound show, a unique experience in the municipality and presented for the first time in Mojácar. The show combined music, visual effects and artificial snowfall that delighted everyone there, enveloping the event in a magical atmosphere.
“Seeing the excited faces of children and families enjoying this experience is our greatest reward. This show, together with the market’s offer, represents Mojácar’s commitment to offering its residents and visitors an unforgettable Christmas,” added Mayor García Cerdá.

The Christmas Market will remain open until the 5th of January, with activities scheduled every day to continue bringing the magic of Christmas to every corner of the village. Mojácar invites everyone to enjoy this unique experience and discover why it is one of the essential destinations for this festive season.