The first civilization that dwelt in Spain were the “íberos” ( Iberians ). There were pre-Iberian civilizations but Iberians are the first ones mentioned in texts. Later, Celtic tribes came from the north and established in the territory.

After Iberians and Celtic, Phoenicians were who came this time. They were merchants and navigators and spread over all the Mediterranean Coast founding colonies. It’s said that, when they came, rabbits were so abundant that they called our land “Isephanim“, which means “Rabbit Coast” in their language, the Phoenician.

Ancient Romans came later and used the name “Hispania” (taken from Greek) to call the peninsula, and “España” derived from “Hispania“. They spoke Latin and were very good at engineering ( among other skills ). Latin was spoken around all the Mediterranean area ( approximately today’s Europe ).

When the Empire started disgregating, Vulgar Latin ( the language of the normal people, not the high cultured class ) also did. Then, Romance Languages appeared. Those languages were Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Romanian, French, Galician, Catalan, and many many other still spoken by a few people or already dead.

The other name of Spanish is Castilian Language. “Spanish” is used when we compare it with foreign countries languages. “Castilian” is used when we talk about languages in Spain because there are some more. The Spanish official languages are Castilian, Euskera (basque language), Galician and Catalan. Euskera is the oldest language and its origin is unknown.

Sometimes, language is a source of problems because is a matter that tends to be politized.

Last week “Fallas” ended. It’s a tradition from Valencia that origined when carpenters started burning all the leftovers at the beggining of spring. “Fallas” are constructions made of cardboard and wood. The figures are called “ninots” and represent politicians, famous people, etc…but always related to current issues, and satirized.

The tradition has evolved to the point that, nowadays, “fallas” are extremely elaborated and colorful. Some of them can even reach a height of 30 meters. Artisans work all the year to have this pieces of art ready to be burnt the 19th of March, at midnight.

During “Fallas” all the town is filled with noise and smoke. People lit firecrackers and bangers everywhere and all the time ( sleeping is impossible ). Some of them are also drunken all the day ^^U.

Here you are some of the pictures my fried Asuka took last week. Enjoy!

More pictures behind the cut

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Let’s begin explaining what black rice is. It’s a kind of rice but also, a dish coming from the East coast of Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. Black Rice in our languages is usually known as “Arròs Negre” or “Arroz Negro”. I’ll have to talk another day about languages spoken here.

The recipe is rather simple. The ingredients are: fish broth, rice, peppers, onion, garlic, tomato, squid and olive oil. And the “magic” ingredient is the squid ink you use to obtain the black color. It also gives the rice an incredibly good taste.

I would post a picture…but we haven’t cooked black rice at home for a long time. So you can have a look at the Wikipedia entry:

Arròs Negre

Hi! first of all let me introduce you to this blog: Black Rice, a flavour of Spain…

After reading and following many blogs in english about Japan, a country and culture I’ve been a fan of for many years now, I thought a blog in english about Spain might be interesting. If there are people who like Japan, there might be other people interested in Spain. And I’m from Spain and living here after all…why not trying it?

I hope I can write good posts for you. I don’t know if I’ll be even regular, but I’ll try it to. Forgive also my english, it has been a bit dusty for a while ^^U.

Enjoy!