PhD Program in Historical studies
The Moma
In the tradition of the Spanish Corpus Christi an important role is played by dances and ritual dances, which often feature the Giants or the other figures that participate in the procession. It is an element that is also found in Italy, especially in festivals in Calabria, in northern France and Belgium, where some feasts of giants still have the staging of the defeat of the dragon as a core event.
The Moma of Valencia is a female figure (impersonated by a man) that symbolizes the values of virtue, grace, righteousness and order, set against the Momos: a group of seven dancers, who represent the opposite and surround him with knavish and irreverent gestures. The clash, which is a clear representation of the conflict between virtues and capital sins, takes place in dance steps and concludes with the submission of the Momos.