  The
dances of Gipuzkoa are considered pre-classic. The steps are codified and precise.
Dances such as Agurra and Ezpata Dantza were historically, and
continue to be, presented before foreign monarchs and dignitaries.The
man responsible for recording the dances, their steps, music and social context, was Juan
Inazio Iztueta from Zaldibia. He wrote his master work, Gipuzkoako Dantza
Gogoangarriak, in 1824. It was a manual for the proper execution of traditional
dances as well as an effort to preserve them before they disappeared. It is relied upon
heavily even today by Basque dance groups, and has been the subject of other Basque
writers.
Other important early dance masters of the Gipuzkoan tradition who
followed the teachings of Iztueta were José Antonio Olano and José Lorenzo Pujana.
Many Towns in Gipuzkoa have distinctive dances performed on their feast days.
Some of these are Tolosa, Zumarraga, Oñati, Andoain and Legazpia.
 The Gipuzkoan tradition includes a cycle of dances performed
with implements such as swords, sticks and shields, small and large arches. There is
also an important genre known as Soinu Zaharrak or Old Melodies in which
dancers display their virtuosity.
While the woman's costume shown above is not exclusive to Gipuzkoa, its
red skirt was common there and is representative of the Atlantic Basque style.
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