Traditional games and sports of the Iberian Peninsula as tourist attractions

1 Chapter 17 Traditional games and sports of the Iberian Peninsula as tourist attractions Gonzalo Ramírez-Macías, PhD, is Associate Professor and Research Fellow of physical education and sport history in the Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Seville. His research interests are history of contemporary physical education. E-mail: [email protected] Augusto Rembrandt Rodríguez-Sánchez, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Seville. His research topics include physical education, martial arts and combat sports, as well as the social aspects of sport. E-mail: [email protected] Mª José Lasaga Rodríguez, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Seville. Her research interests are physical education, early childhood education and outdoor education. E-mail: [email protected] Abstract The traditional games and sports of the Iberian Peninsula are one of the main tourist attractions of the region. The aim of this chapter is to analyse the possibilities these recreational activities represent for the sports industry. Therefore, we will base our analysis on two different points of view: First, as activities that are in themselves tourist attractions, such as traineras in the Basque Country or wrestling in the Canary Islands. And secondly, as activities that can be practiced and that could form part of the tourist attractions and services, for instance the game of Malha in Portugal or the Camino de Santiago (Way of St. James) in the Peninsula. Conclusions show the great potential of these traditional games and sports as tourist attractions in this sector of the sports industry, both as public sporting events and as activities for tourists. Introduction The Iberian Peninsula has been endowed with a huge cultural wealth thanks to the heritage bequeathed to this Southern European territory by the Roman, Arab, Jewish, and Christian cultures. No wonder, 65 elements of this Peninsula have been declared by the UNESCO to be World Heritage. This wealth has brought about an explosion of cultural tourism, understanding said tourism as one where people travel in search of a tourist experience associated with cultural products (Prieto, 2015). 2 Although cultural tourism has never been at the level of the highly sought for sun and beach tourism in the Peninsula, it does not cease to be relevant. This creates aesthetic, intellectual, emotional, even physical experiences of a very exclusive nature, being associated with the heritage of a specific region or country. In this regard, we should stress the concept of heritage, as nowadays “there is no aspect of social life that is not given a heritage treatment” (Estévez, 1999, p. 118). Among these heritage products, architecture, archaeology, painting, and sculpture stand out but gastronomy, music, national parks and traditional sports are just as important. The latter justify their heritage status, as Blanchard and Cheska defended in their classic work (1986, p. 37) “they reflect the basic values of their cultural framework where they develop and therefore act as (...) a transmitter of culture". Based on all this, in this chapter we focus on the issue of whether traditional sports of the Iberian Peninsula have, as cultural heritage, the tourism impact of other elements, such as architecture, gastronomy, painting or archaeology. To answer this question, it is necessary, to first define what we consider to be sport. For this purpose, in accordance with Jiménez-Naranjo (2019), our definition in this regard is based on article 2 of the European Sports Charter (1992): All forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim at expressing or improving physical fitness and mental wellbeing, forming social relationships, or obtaining results in competition at all levels. Then in second place, in relation to the concept of “traditional”, according to Lavega and Olaso (2003, p. 13), these types of sports would be sports that are repeated and transmitted from one generation to another. Nevertheless, for the purposes of this chapter, we have decided to include a third defining concept, that of “grassroots", which, according to these authors, refers to those practices as those that belong to a group of people, and are therefore known and spread through this population (Lavega and Olaso, 2003, p. 12). Therefore, we have set ourselves the goal of analysing traditional (aka grassroots) sports that are typical of the Iberian Peninsula and relevant at tourism level. To present the information precisely, we will differentiate between the tourist’s active or passive participation in these sports. This classification criterion is based on the papers of Hall (1992) that introduce the possibility of the tourist taking part in a sporting activity as an observer as well as on the work of Gamon and Robinson (1997) who discuss the possibility of tourists’ active or passive participation in a sporting activity. 3 1. Traditional sports as active tourist attractions 1.1. Paths, trails, and greenways Hiking consists of walking along a marked itinerary that might be a path, a natural trail, or a greenway, depending on the type of infrastructure it has. Although walking is an action long associated with mankind, hiking as a sport started in France after World War II. It was introduced into Spain through Catalonia at the end of the 1960s and ever since then it has grown in popularity, given that it offers its practitioners the possibility of being in contact with nature while indulging in a sporting, recreational and tourist activity. Those infrastructures that had a historical role, such as railways, canals, towpaths, livestock trails and paths, among other things, receive a new lease of life thanks to hikers. They are turned into active tourist attractions and services, acting as points of interest for tourists and being an opportunity for economic development, recovery and revitalisation of the road, historical and cultural heritage of the area in which they are located. Undoubtedly the Camino de Santiago, considered to be one of the most important pilgrimages in Europe, is the best-known road in the Iberian Peninsula: it in fact consists of more than one road, it is a network of roads crossing not only the Peninsula but all of Europe, and their goal is to arrive at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and visit the crypt of the apostle Saint James, especially for those who follow this route for religious reasons. The volume of people that travel along it throughout the year, from different parts of the world has turned it into an activity with a strong economic impact, particularly in Galicia. The first road was built in 842 from Oviedo by the Asturian king, Alfonso II, taking advantage of trade routes and Roman roads, making it the first official road, which came to be known as the Primitive Way. One of the routes that enables us to understand the international nature of this pilgrimage, is the Portuguese Way that, from the 12th Century enabled the flow of pilgrims towards the north of the peninsula establishing not just spiritual but also economic and cultural connections within the Iberian Peninsula. 1.2. Via ferratas and equipped paths The via ferratas have become a tourist attraction for those who seek to do outdoor sports. They are a new way of being a tourist, they allow a wide range of tourists access to unusual places that would otherwise be difficult to reach safely. To be specific, they consist of mostly vertical itineraries along which one travels tightly fastened to a steel cable by means of a system of karabiners (Fores Acle et al., 2005). 4 In Spain there are more than 240 via ferratas while in neighbouring Andorra there are more than ten well-kept ones, thus showing that the government of Andorra supports active tourism. These have consolidated in recent years and nowadays constitute one of the tourist attractions of the Pyrenees. The equipped paths are similar to the via ferratas, although these itineraries can be both vertical and horizontal, and although they do not need a safety cable, they usually have materials or infrastructures, such as bridges or handrails, that facilitate their use and make it possible for a broader sector of the population to use them. The origin of these types of roads is mainly historical, as most of them were created to access isolated or remote areas, although nowadays they form part of the range of active tourism activities in some areas of the Iberian Peninsula. Given the impact they have on the areas where they are located, town councils are getting involved in their construction aiming to promote tourism, thus taking advantage of the natural resources they have as a tourism wealth-creating strategy. Of the equipped paths of the Iberian Peninsula, the Caminito del Rey (King’s Path- Malaga) is particularly popular. It passes through the Gaitanes Ravine, between the municipalities of Álora and Ardales. It was built at the start of the 20th Century since then the infrastructure of the route has been rehabilitated, the works concluding in 2015. This activity generates revenues worth millions. It has become one of the huge attractions of this southern province of the peninsula and is generating an unquestionable economic and tourist impact. Neighbouring Portugal boasts of the Paiva Walkways (Arouca). These are 9 Kilometres of bridges, roads, and stairs beside the Paiva river, in the northeast of Portugal, between Areinho and Espiunca, where the beauty of the gorge can be observed, created by the passage of the river of over millions of years together with its natural pools and rapids, that also attract practitioners of rafting. Although the place went up in flames when it first opened, it was quickly reconstructed, thus allowing local villages to continue enjoying the success that this tour of wooden walkways entails, benefitting their economy, thanks to the effects of this tourism. 1.3. Speleological Tourism To practice speleology as a sporting activity, it is necessary to have at least some physical and mental preparation as well as being accompanied by a specialist guide. On the other hand, speleological or underground tourism, consisting of visiting tourist caves for 5 recreational purposes, makes it possible for broad sections of the population to actively visit caves and chasms. This activity has been a practice since the end of the 18th Century. At the end of the 20th Century the Association of Spanish Tourist Caves was founded in Spain. This Association brings together caves open to the public in every corner of Spain’s underground heritage. The Association has a mission to preserve these caves and show them to visitors, thus allowing the public to learn about and enjoy the caves (Durán, 2006). Visits to these spaces have become an event of interest with which they seek to promote underground tourism. The following are some examples of caves that are considered to be relevant tourist attractions in different parts of the peninsula. To the South we find the Grotto of the Marvels, which is the first cave to have opened to the public in the Iberian Peninsula. It is found in the town of Aracena (Huelva). This cave was discovered at the end of the 19th century. Works started in 1911 and it was opened to the public in 1914. This is a place of Tourist Interest in Andalucia and has turned into one of the most visited natural monuments in the community, with the consequent economic impact for the area. To the North, in Cantabria, the Cave of El Soplao, with geological and mining interest, not only offers tourists a visit by train or walking, but it also possesses yet another tourist attraction, full of adventure for the more daring, via an underground ferrata. You can find a visit to the Recuenco Cave among the tour packages on offer in Andorra. This has been declared a Site of Community Interest within Natura 2000 because of the important colonies of bats that inhabit it and, more recently, has been declared a Point of Geological Interest. 1.4. Water sports River-based sporting activities are another tourist attraction, especially at the hottest times of the year, when they become an inland alternative to coastal tourism. From activities where oars are the motor of action, such as canoeing or paddle surf, to activities that have need of the natural elements such as the wind and the current. There are many areas in the Peninsula that are the perfect scenario, given their network of rivers and tributaries, for these types of activities, which in most cases end up becoming the main tourist attraction of the area. One outstanding example is to be found in the Descent of the Sella River, from Arriondas to Ribadesella (Asturias). The origins of the feat go back to 1931 and although it started out as a provincial event, it quickly became a national and international competition and is now one of the most important events in world canoeing at a level of 6 competitive sports. But, the popularity of the descent of this river is not only apparent on the day of the Canoe Festival, declared a Festival of Interest to International Tourism, that, apart from the sporting event where tourists are welcome as spectators, it offers other festivities such as parades, music and food. All year round and especially during the hottest times of the year, a multitude of users go down the river by canoe, thus not just generating economic benefits for the companies directly involved in the descent of the river as an active tourism activity, but also serving as an incentive and tourist attraction to revitalise a very specific part of the Iberian Peninsula. The trainera regattas, with their origins in fishing, are yet another water sport. The historic origin of these regattas lies in fishing boat (traineras) competitions between the autonomous communities on the Cantabrian coast (Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, and the Basque Country). Although the first unofficial competitions date back from the middle of the 19th century, the first event of the national championship was not held until 1944. Its popularity and history make this a summer event of interest for anyone visiting the coast on those dates. 2. Traditional sports, an offer for event tourism 2.1. Ball games Arruabarrena et al. (2014) define these games as games where a ball is passed between opposing players, the aim is to make it impossible for the opposite contender to return the ball. In the Peninsula, games of this type can be identified as sports where visitors, of said regions, can either spectate and/or practice. Basque pelota (Basque ball) is a traditional sport played in the Basque Country, Navarra, and La Rioja, in the north of Spain. In the Basque Country its origins date from the 16th and 17th centuries, and it was institutionalized at the start of the 20th Century (González- Abrisketa, 2006). The game is played on a piece of land known as fronton, where the players (‘pelotaris’) take turns hitting a ball (preferably with their hands) against a wall called a frontis, there are different playing methods, depending on the size of the court. Basque pelota enjoys so much popularity that the retransmission of some of its official competitions is offered on national television. Its practice has also spread to countries on the other side of the Atlantic, which gives rise to (European and world) international competitions, where not only players but fans and spectators travel to said events. Valencian pilota (or pilota valenciana) is recognized as an Asset of Cultural Interest of the region whose name it bears. It is played in different regional and international municipal (Alicante, Castellón and Valencia) leagues. Traditionally a street game, it 7 reached its maximum splendour during the 19th century with the appearance of specific playing spaces: the frontons. It evolved into a sport in 1994, with different variations in the rules of the game, both direct (without fronton) and indirect (with fronton). Today it is experiencing a period of popularity as it is played in the region’s educational establishments and its games are broadcasted on regional television. This, together with the prevalence of the use of Valencian in it, emphasises its cultural identity and makes it an attractive sport for visitors to the region. As for the ball games typically played in Gibraltar, such as netball, arriving from England at the end of the 19th century, consisting in shooting a ball through a basket without a backboard, without players running with or bouncing the ball, or leaving their restricted areas. All this makes netball a very collaborative game where physical contact is forbidden. Although it is quite insignificant in the rest of the Peninsula, it has been played a lot in Gibraltar since the start of the nineteen nineties, there are currently 30 high level teams and 16 teams in the junior league. The participation of Gibraltaran teams in international competitions attracts teams and fans, mainly from the Commonwealth, to the Rock. In 2016 the Europe sub19 championship was organised, with teams from all over the continent and, in 2019, the Gibraltaran combined sub17 won second place in the European championship. Cricket has also been played in Gibraltar since the 18th Century, having been brought there by the British army. In 1930 the Gibraltar Cricket Club was founded, an event that represented the consolidation of this sport on the Rock. In fact, it has become progressively professionalised and now is governed by the Gibraltar Cricket Board. The participation of Gibraltaran teams in International tournaments, such as the European championships or the Twenty20 International matches, makes for an important tourist attraction, as it enables matches between local and foreign teams. 2.2. Combat sports Combat activities and sports are common in different cultural enclaves in any society. Four have been identified in the Iberian Peninsula with the most traditional and cultural attraction, which have given rise to local and international events and competitions surrounding their practice. The first written records of Canarian wrestling, unarmed combat between two wrestlers where no blows are permitted, date from 1420. Although it came to be forbidden as it was thought to be shameless and savage, its practice did not disappear over time and it is currently considered to be part of the historical heritage of the archipelago. It was 8 regulated with the creation of the Federation of Canarian Wrestling in 1943, which contributed to its institutionalisation as a sport, giving rise to competitive events that continue to be held throughout the region. The different local and regional championships make this sport an important tourist attraction, a must-see when visiting the islands. The Juego del Palo (Game of the Stick) of the Canary Islands consists of a stick fight between two fighters, they each try to make a mark without making any contact. Forbidden during the historical period after the Reconquista, the juego del palo was clandestinely transmitted within families, which kept it alive as a cultural legacy. Its public practice was once again permitted in the second half of the 19th century, and then the Agrupación Canaria de Juego del Palo (Canarian Stick Game Group) was founded in 1994 and the Federación de Juego del Palo Canario (Canarian Stick Game Federation) in 1996. Considered to be a game, not a sport (as there are no rules of competition), its practice has been passed on by word of mouth from one generation to another, making it attractive to tourists in the area who seek to have a taste of one of the most important cultural expressions of the people of the Canary Islands. Leonese wrestling (or aluche) was declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2017. This is a sport of unarmed combat between two wrestlers, classed according to their weight, typical of the Castilla and León community. This wrestling takes place inside a circular space with a diameter of 17 meters, where the wrestlers are barefooted, wearing short trousers, a shirt, and a leather belt. The objective of the match is to grip the opponent and make them touch the ground with any part of the body or to loosen their opponents grip on their belt. Nowadays, its practice is organised into two sections: the winter league (where they compete in teams) and the summer league (individual), with the season concluding with a traditional mass event, a tourist highlight called “Montaña-Ribera” (River Bank vs Mountain), where teams compete based on the territorial division created by the León-Bilbao railway line. There is yet another type of wrestling in Portugal known as the jogo do pau (stick game). Considered to be a martial art, it originated in northern Portugal, from where it spread to all the other regions of the country. Used as personal defence until the middle of the 20th Century, the fact that only a stick is needed for its practice facilitated its transmission from one generation to another. Jogo do pau championships became common over time throughout the entire territory of Portugal. It lost relevance during the second half of the 20th Century and it would not be until the last decade of that century when its practice was recovered, becoming more orientated on sport-competition, and focusing on its value 9 as a traditional practice. There are frequent exhibition tournaments in the north of Portugal, in Montalegre or Cabeceiras de Basto for example. Even around Lisbon it is practiced as a sport in numerous gyms, apart from forming part of the physical education programme in educational establishments thanks to its anthropological and cultural roots. 2.3. Games of force and precision Fruit of the practices that are typical of a region, people’s work and trades are often the source of opportunities to play. So, it is possible to identify some sports in the Peninsula that, through the use of force or precision throwing, have given rise to competitions that have crossed over from being spontaneity games to becoming professional sports and spectator events. As regards games based on feats of strength, the Biscayan Federation of Basque Games and Sports has distinguished up to 17 different kinds. These rural sports were born out of the jobs of work typically and traditionally carried out in the region, that made heavy physical demands on their practitioners. It is possible to differentiate log cutting with an axe (aizkolaritza), lifting an iron anvil (ingude altxatzea) or transporting weight as far possible (txinga erutea), among other things. All of which can be seen in local competitions during the annual competition season, where people are able to attend as spectators. Likewise, there are active tourism initiatives in the area that not only give a historical tour of these rural sporting activities, but also give tourists a chance to experience, if they wish, some of them. Another of the more common competitions in traditional games is throwing objects with precision. In the Castilla and León community, the traditional games have this particular feature. Formally recognized by the Federación de Deportes Autóctonos de Castilla y León since 1988, they share common features with the traditional sports of the Basque region (such as log cutting, for example), with 12 different kinds having been identified. The fact that they have local and provincial competitions and are not very physically demanding also makes these native sports a matter of high cultural interest for visitors to the region. In Portugal we have the jogo da malha or chiquilho. This popular sport, played in both rural and urban areas, would be played after a day's work or on Sundays, being a good recreational game for the working class, for them to socialise with their family and neighbours. Known colloquially as “the game of the poor”, it is very popular among the older generation in less affluent parts of town. This is played by pairs standing apart at a certain distance and consists of throwing small metal disks to knock down a pin at the