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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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Mojácar Reinforces Its Position as a Destination of Excellence for Easter

Mojácar reinforces its position as a destination of excellence this Easter

Mojácar is preparing for one of the busiest Easter Weeks in recent years, with a forecast of a very high hotel occupancy rate and many establishments near to full capacity.

The combination of tradition, culture, privileged climate and a quality tourism offer has once again made Mojácar one of the Mediterranean’s favourite destinations.
According to data gathered by the Tourism Department, many hotels will reach 90% and 100% occupancy on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, and others will exceed 85% in their average bookings for the whole week.

At the same time, some recently opened accommodation and several tourist apartments are still offering availability, which represents an opportunity for last minute visitors.

In addition to the excellent tourist response, Mojácar presents a full Easter Week programme with religious and cultural events in the heart of the old town. The processions on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will mark the most emotional moments, starting from the Santa María Church and going through the municipality’s most emblematic streets.

The spring-like weather will be another of the main attractions, with temperatures forecast to be between 22 and 25 degrees and no rain, ideal for enjoying both the religious events and the beach and open-air leisure.

The Local Council has activated a special mobility plan, reinforcing public transport between Mojácar Pueblo and Mojácar Playa for the enjoyment of both visitors and residents of the municipality

Francisco García, Mayor of Mojácar, has been very positive about the response from the tourism sector: “Easter Week once again positions Mojácar as one of the leading destinations in the Mediterranean. Our offer combines tradition, culture, beach and fine cuisine, and that translates into an almost full occupancy rate”.

Tourism Councillor María Gracia Alarcón highlighted the joint work that has made this success possible: “These figures are the result of coordinated work between Mojácar Council, business owners and tourism promoters. Mojácar offers much more than sun and beach, and increasingly more visitors are discovering it all year round, not just in summer.”.

With all these elements, Mojácar approaches an Easter Week marked by the high number of visitors, the quality of its tourism offer and the deeply-rooted nature of its traditions. The municipality thus reaffirms its commitment to a sustainable, welcoming and quality tourism model, consolidating itself as an essential destination not only in summer, but also at key times of year such as this Easter Week.

City News

Mojácar Dedicates a Plaza to Antonio Bonet Correo

Mojácar dedicates a square to Antonio Bonet Correo, a great figure in spanish art with a strong link to the municipality

Mojácar dedicates a plaza to Antonio Bonet Correo, a great figure in spanish art with a strong link to the municipality next Tuesday 15th of April at 5pm. Mojácar Council will pay tribute to the renowned art historian Antonio Bonet Correa, with the unveiling of this dedication in his memory and the official designation of the Plaza Antonio Bonet Correa, located in the Calle Salvia, a symbolic place next to the sea which from now on will bear his name.

Antonio Bonet Correa (1925-2020) was one of the great restorers of art historiography in Spain. An academic, professor and director of institutions such as the San Fernando Royal Academy of Fine Arts and the Madrid Museum of Contemporary Art, he introduced new ways of interpreting art, connecting it with architecture, sociology and critical thought. His legacy also included the defence of artistic heritage, research into the Andalucian Baroque and the promotion of new aesthetic trends.

His link with Mojácar dates back to 1965, when he arrived in the municipality accompanied by his family. He discovered the village thanks to the geographer Horacio Capel, and from then he maintained a deep connection with its people, its architecture and its surroundings. He was a regular in the municipality for decades, actively participating in its cultural life, chairing the Mojácar Art Courses and promoting the arrival of great artists to the municipality.

The Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García Cerdá, highlighted that: “Antonio Bonet Correa was able to see in Mojácar not only its scenic beauty, but also its value as a meeting point between tradition and modernity. He was an essential pillar in the promotion and dissemination of art in our municipality. With this square, we leave a record of his mark on our history and our way of understanding culture.”

Pedro Bonet, professor of recorder and director of the Baroque Music Group La Folía, and Antonio Bonet Correa’s son, commented: “My father was a restorer of the history of art in Spain, and his dedication was tireless up until his death five years ago. We are very grateful to the Local Council for this gesture that recognises not only his figure, but that of all those pioneers who were committed to the culture and beauty of Almería.”

Mojácar Council invites residents and visitors to take part in this emotionally charged event, marking another step in the locality’s commitment to cultural memory, art and the figures who have contributed to its enrichment.

City News

The Art of Enjoying the Landscape by Decorating Benches

Mojácar announces the competition “SentArte”: The art of enjoying the landscape by decorating benches. Mojácar Council, through its Culture and Tourism Departments, has officially launched the SentArte: the art of enjoying the landscape competition, an artistic initiative aimed at transforming street furniture into authentic works of art that enrich the most beautiful corners of the municipality and, at the same time, serve as an additional tourist attraction to boost the arrival of visitors. A project to sit, look and feel.

The competition aims to select creative and original proposals for the decoration of wood benches, which will be installed in unique locations in Mojácar, forming a route where art and landscape go hand in hand. The intention is that each bench will be an invitation not only to sit down, but also to contemplate and appreciate the surroundings.

“SentArte is an invitation to experience Mojácar in a different way. We want locals and visitors to rediscover our landscapes through pausing, art and sensitivity. We believe in culture as a tool for social transformation and in creativity as an engine for local development,” stated the Mayor of Mojácar, Francisco García.

The Tourism Councillor, María Gracia Alarcón, stressed that “this project allows us to highlight unique corners of Mojácar that often go unnoticed. We want art to serve as a guide for discovering these small landscape treasures that we have and, at the same time, to support and showcase the talent of our local artists.

The competition is open to artists, designers, architects and creators in any discipline. Each participant may submit up to three original sketches. Each proposal must include a title and a brief conceptual explanation (maximum 150 words).

The theme of the designs is free, being a requirement that the materials used must be resistant to inclement weather and continuous use. The works must be adapted to the measurements and characteristics of the model bench selected by the Local Council (“Romantic” model, tropical wood and cast iron legs).

SentArte seeks to turn a stroll through Mojácar into a unique experience, where creativity and natural beauty come together in each decorated bench. An artistic itinerary that invites you to sit down, observe and connect with the surroundings.

The complete rules of the competition, as well as the deadlines and entry requirements, are available on Mojácar Council’s official website.

Because in Mojácar, art also sits and admires the view.