---
title: "Processional march"
slug: processional-march
definition: "Ceremonial gaita piece accompanying the religious procession of Asturian festivals. Slow-tempo and solemn, it sets the procession's pace."
synonyms: ["marcha de procesión", "ceremonial march"]
publishedAt: 2026-06-17
---
The **processional march** is the piece the **Asturian gaita** plays
during the religious procession of a festival: the saint's departure, the
route of the procession and its return to the church.

It's ceremonial repertoire, not dance music. Its tempo is slow and its
character solemn, because its function is to accompany the procession's
slow pace and give it weight, not to animate the dance circle.

It belongs to the **Asturian traditional repertoire** alongside the
alborada: both are function pieces —opening the day, leading the
procession— set apart from the festive dance repertoire like the
xiringüelu or the muiñeira.