Author Archives: Matthew Guichard

Dance – French

Nationality: French
Age: 44
Residence: San Marino, CA
Primary Language: English

Breton Dance from France

Dance Folklorique: “La Gavotte”

Brief history
La gavotte is believed to be one of the oldest dances in Brittany.  Connected to the Trihori dance, a kind of branle, this folklorique dance is practiced all around the Cournouaille and the north ouest of Leon’s region.  La Gavotte is the most popular folkloric dance in Brittany.
It is composed of variances of Gavotte des montagnes, of Maël Carhaix, of Quimper, of Pays Bigouden, which follows the eight beat measure of the dance.

Here is a description of the step of the dance : it has three « plays », the Simple Tone, the Bal and a double tone that begins again the simple tone but is a more sophisticated way and faster!

I used to go to few festivals (fest-noz in Brittany) during the summer holidays where La Gavotte was often danced by local dancers or sometimes professionals.  I have seen it danced by large group of men and women dresses in traditional Brittany attire and it is really fun to see.
I have danced the Gavotte for fun during weddings or other large gatherings and it is a dance that always cheers the crowd.

Collectors Analysis: This dance is a prime example of traditions being passed town from generation. Though not practiced in mainstream Brittany life, Bretons are proud of their history and choose to keep traditions such as these to retain a sense of identity. Because the dance is performed, rather than written down, it allows for multiplicity and variation.

Expression – French

Nationality: French
Age: 44
Residence: San Marino, CA
Primary Language: English

Expression from Nantes, France

Gueuleton (un grand) – A large/big diner or meal – This is a very familiar expression and it was used often to describe a large family lunch/diner or wedding meal.  My father’s family used this expression often, to the dis-pleasure of my mother, who was from Paris!  She thought it was too familiar and borderline vulgar…  It is certainly not an expression spoken by Parisians.

Collector’s Analysis- This example as an expression is perfect folklore because it shows the difference in customs between two regions and how one region varies from another. The Parisians thought of this Breton expression as vulgar.

Expression – French

Nationality: French
Age: 44
Residence: San Marino, CA
Primary Language: English

Expression from Nantes, France

Tatouille or Recevoir une tatouille – Get reprimanded usually with a smack – As a young kid, I often heard it from my uncle as a warning threat if I was goofing around too much!

Collector’s Analysis: It was interesting to note that different types of punishment are accepted in different countries. Smacks are widely accepted in France and are thought of as a useful way if disciplining children at a young age. In contrast, any sport of smacking or spanking is looked down upon and in some places is banned.

Song – French

Nationality: French
Age: 44
Residence: San Marino, CA
Primary Language: English

Folklore Song from Nantes, France

« Dans les prisons de Nantes »
This is a variance of a very popular song from Nantes.  We used to sing it when we were young (under 10) but usually not in its entirety.  There are many variances to the end and everyone liked to change some of the lyrics to make it funnier or sometimes more vulgar (see alternate adult end in black).  This song was also sung by some famous French singers like Edith Piaf, George Brassens and more.

This is a kind of song that would really annoy my mother if we were singing it in the card during long trip!  It just would never end…
Dans les prisons de Nantes,
Y’avait un prisonnier, Y’avait un prisonnier
Que personne ne va voir Que la fille du geôlier,
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

Que personne ne va voir
Que la fille du geôlier (bis)
Va lui porter à boire
A boire et à manger
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

Va lui porter à boire
A boire et à manger (bis)
On dit par toute la ville
Que demain vous mourrez
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

On dit par toute la ville
Que demain vous mourrez (bis)
Las! Si demain je meurs
Déliez moi les pieds.
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

Las! Si demain je meurs
Déliez moi les pieds. (bis)
Toutes les cloches de Nantes
Se mirent à sonner.
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

Toutes les cloches de Nantes
Se mirent à sonner (bis)
Le fillette était jeune
Elle se mit à pleurer
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

Le fillette était jeune
Elle se mit à pleurer (Bis)
Le prisonnier alerte
Dans la Loire a sauté
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

Le prisonnier alerte
Dans la Loire a sauté (Bis)
Vivent les filles de Nantes
Et tous les prisonniers
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

(alternate ending for the older ones)
Trois mois après la fille
Portait gros tablier (bis)
C’est ainsi qu’sont les hommes
Quand ils sont déliés
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

Quand au gars sur l’aut’ rive
Il buvait et chantait
“J’emmerde les gendarmes
Et la maréchaussée”
Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah ! Ah !

Collector’s Analysis: Upon Philippe’s request, he asked that the song not be translated because it would not carry the same meaning in English. This song is very typical of Brittany and highlights the different cultures within France that remain today. France has many different regions within itself that have their own dialects, ranging from Brittany in the west to Provence in the South.

Proverb – Ethiopian

Nationality: Ethiopian
Age: 19

Ethiopian Proverb

Collector’s Analysis: This Ethiopian proverb is typical of many African proverbs. It compares moonlight to opportunity and how one must seize the opportunity when it comes about. Proverbs are usually fixed variations, although Michael said he has heard different (but similar) variations of this particular proverb. He says the proverb is mostly spoken, but it is written in books so its “origin” remains somewhat fixed.