kantiga

Kantiga is a term that appears in different linguistic and cultural contexts. Historically, it occurs as a variant spelling of cantiga, the medieval Iberian lyric genre written in Galician-Portuguese and associated with collections such as Cantigas de Santa Maria. In manuscripts and early editions, spellings vary, and kantiga can be found in some sources as an alternative to cantiga. The cantigas cover a range of themes and forms, and are studied for their poetry as well as their musical notation.

In scholarly and historical discussions, cantiga remains the standard term, while kantiga is encountered mainly as an alternative orthography in certain editions, transliterations, or regional traditions. The cantigas themselves include several genres, such as cantiga de amigo, cantiga de amor, and cantiga de escárnio e mal-dizer, and they are important for the study of medieval Iberian literature and music.

In contemporary usage, kantiga is sometimes adopted as a proper noun for artistic works, musical projects, or events that draw on the historical associations of song and lyric. Because it is less common and varies by source, its meaning can differ depending on regional or disciplinary context. See also Cantiga; Cantiga de amigo.