What is "jota"

Spanish folk dance; by 1846, of uncertain etymology.

n. 1 A traditional popular dance of the Iberian peninsula with regional variations. 2 The music to which this dance is set, normally of 3/4 or 6/8 time.

Jota may refer to:

• Jota, the name of the letter j in the Spanish alphabet
• Jota, the name of the letter j in the Portuguese alphabet
• Jota (music), a type of Spanish music and dance
• Jota (footballer), born 1991, Spanish footballer
• Jota (singer), born Lee Jonghwa, member of K-pop band MADTOWN
• Jota (food), an Istrian bean-sauerkraut stew
• Laverda Jota, an Italian motorcycle
• Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), an international amateur radio event in the Boy Scouts
• Lamborghini Diablo SE30 Jota, a circuit racing version of the Lamborghini Diablo 30th anniversary edition
• Lamborghini Miura P400 Jota, a model of the Lamborghini Miura
• Mazda Jota MX-5 GT, a model of the Mazda MX-5

The jota (; ; or ixota ; ; ; old Spanish spelling: xota) is a genre of music and the associated dance known throughout Spain, most likely originating in Aragon. It varies by region, having a characteristic form in Aragon (where it is the most important), Catalonia, Castile, Navarre, Cantabria, Asturias, Galicia, La Rioja, Murcia and Eastern Andalusia. Being a visual representation, the jota is danced and sung accompanied by castanets, and the interpreters tend to wear regional costumes. In Valencia, the jota was once danced during interment ceremonies.

The jota tends to have a rhythm, although some authors maintain that the is better adapted to the poetic and choreographic structure. For their interpretation, guitars, bandurrias, lutes, dulzaina, and drums are used in the Castilian style, while the Galicians use bagpipes, drums, and bombos. Theatrical versions are sung and danced with regional costumes and castanets, though such things are not used when dancing the jota in less formal settings. The content of the songs is quite diverse, from patriotism to religion to sexual exploits. In addition to this, the songs also have the effect of helping to generate a sense of local identity and cohesion.

The steps have an appearance not unlike that of the waltz, though in the case of the jota, there is much more variation. Furthermore, the lyrics tend to be written in eight-syllable quartets, with assonance in the first and third verses.

José Ignacio Peleteiro Ramallo (born 16 June 1991), commonly known as Jota, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for SD Eibar on loan from English club Brentford.

A product of the Celta de Vigo youth system, he helped Eibar earn promotion to La Liga while on loan in the 2013–14 season.

Lee Jong-hwa (born on February 15, 1994), better known as Jota, is a South Korean rapper, singer and model. He is a member of South Korean boy group Madtown.