Costa Blanca tradition: Let Teulada-Moraira's Dama take care of your throat

LA DAMA was a central feature of Teulada-Moraira’s recent celebrations in honour of San Blas. La Dama in question is a very large sweet bun in the shape of a woman with one arm above her head and another on her hip, made to an ancient local recipe handed down from generation to generation. Historians believe that La Dama, which is exclusive to Teulada-Moraira, is pagan in origin, a tribute to motherhood, nature and agriculture.
The tradition was incorporated centuries ago into the festivities in honour of San Blas-Saint Blaise in English–who is said protect against illnesses of the throat. Thanks to the saint, eating a Dama that has been blessed at the parish church supposedly provides a year’s protection again sore throats. This year La Dama was also the protagonist of a children’s workshop in the marquee in the Plaza de La Constitucion where they learnt how to make their own versions, which were then baked at a nearby bakery.