Farruca

Farruca is a form of Flamenco music, probably originating in the Galicia region of north-western Spain. It is a light form typical of cante chico, and is traditionally danced only by men. It is seldom sung.

The farruca is commonly played in the key of A minor, with each compás equivalent to 2 measures of 4/4 time with emphasis on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th beats: [1] 2 [3] 4 [5] 6 [7] 8

"Farruca" is also a well-known song composed by Mary Ann Godla. The dance often has fast turns, quick intense footwork, held lifts and falls, dramatic poses and bursts of filigrana (often with a flat hand). It can also be danced with a cape.

Nobody has ever proven in any way that the Farruca came from Galicia. The earliest Farruca recordings are actually villancicos (Christmas songs) lyrics. There is only a very brief mention of Galicia by La Niña de los Peines. The name Farruca is etimological more connected to the Arabic language, in which the first name Faruk and the last name al-Farruqui are very common. Furthermore, the Farruca is rhythmically very close to the Zambra, although in terms of flavor they are very different.^{[citation needed]}

Some could argue that the Farruca is the style of Flamenco most influenced by Celtic folk music, very common in the region of Galicia, which was once inhabited by Visigoths and Suebi.

One can also find many similarities between the Farruca and Portuguese Fado.

Example Lyrics

Una farruca
en Galicia a una farruca (A girl named Farruca, from Galicia)
amargamente lloraba. (is sad and cried.)

porque se habia
muerto su farruco (because her lover "Farruco" is dead)
y la gaita le tocaba. (her crying is like bagpipes.)