Verdiales (the name comes from a variety of olive) refers to a style of flamenco music specific to Malaga and developed in the olive country to the north of the city. There are several Verdiales village festivals through the year, but the main one is in December when the 'Pandas' (groups of musicians and singers in elaborate headgear) come from local villages to compete on a stage. Thousands of local people turn up to enjoy the festive atmosphere, to listen to the music and to tuck into some country cooking and local wine. The party atmosphere is helped along by the cheerful style of the music - songs accompanied by guitars, two-string violins and small metal cymbals. With castanets chattering, the dancers go through their graceful moves wearing long, multicoloured ribbons.

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