Décima

Décima is a ten-line stanza used in Spanish-language poetry and traditional folk song. It is a fixed verse form dating back to the 16th century, and its most widely known variant is the décima espinela, which uses octosyllabic lines and a specific rhyme pattern.

Origin and form: The form is named after Vicente Espinel, a Spanish poet and musician who helped codify it. In the espinela variant, each line typically has eight syllables, and the ten lines follow a consistent rhyming scheme commonly described as ABBA ABBA CC, although regional variations exist. The structure supports both composed poetry and improvisational performance.

Usage and cultural context: Décimas are found in Spain and across the Spanish-speaking world. In folk and oral traditions, they are often sung or recited, sometimes in call-and-response or competitive formats. In Caribbean and Andean regions, décimas are central to improvised musical traditions, with practitioners who compose verses on the spot in response to prompts. Cuban trova, for example, employs the décima as a key element in its lyric tradition.

Variations and influence: Beyond the espinela, other décima forms with different line lengths or rhyming patterns exist. The décima has influenced modern poetry and remains a topic in literary study and in living folk practice.