Boise Oñati Dantza Taldea 

The Korpus Dantzak have been performed for centuries in the small Basque town of Oñati, and we have the unique opportunity to preserve the tradition in Boise.

Starting in the early 1970s, Boise dancers expressed interest in learning and performing Korpus Dantzak, but Oñati dancers worried that the same importance and precision might not be exemplified. Through many rigorous conversations and practices, it was decided that Boise was ready to take on the responsibility of representing this ancient tradition in our new home.

It was agreed that it was important to preserve the power of Korpus Dantzak by only performing them once a year in their full form. John Ysursa drafted a letter formally establishing an independent group charged solely with maintaining proficiency in the dances for performing annually at San Inazio. The group would be made up of current and former Oinkaris and would work hard to keep that special relationship with Oñati.

We are honored that the Oñati dancers have very much entrusted Boise to faithfully represent the dances and we only perform them with continued permission. No other city – in the Basque Country, the U.S., or elsewhere – has this relationship or the ability to perform them in their fullest capacity.