Minera

“Mineras” is a flamenco style from the mining area of "Sierra Cartagena-La Union" and developed in the 19th century, together with the rest of "cantos minero-levantinos". This was the result of the great migrations from Andalusia, specially from Almería.

 

"Minera" was originated in mid-nineteenth century, emerging as a derivation of local “fandangos”, which already existed in "Sierra de la Union" in Murcia. Creator of this “palo” was Rojo "el Alpargatero", whose son maintained it, but adding some new variants. In the 50s, “minera” rose again after being gone for some years.

 

“Minera” is composed by a stanza of four or five eight-syllable verses. Main topics are mining and their workers. It is a serious song, which is difficult to be interpreted. There are two kind of “minera”: the one which is a derivation of local “fandangos” and belongs to "cantos de Levante", more precisely to "cantes de las minas". These latter constitute currently a very definite form of “taranta”.

 

Although “minera” is still present in the area where it originated, current singers do not usually include it in their performances, but some do it in their discography. It is a singing which is very closed to its native place.