What is the history behind the flamenco dance?

What is the history behind the flamenco dance?

The roots of flamenco, though somewhat mysterious, seem to lie in the Roma migration from Rajasthan (in northwest India) to Spain between the 9th and 14th centuries. These migrants brought with them musical instruments, such as tambourines, bells, and wooden castanets, and an extensive repertoire of songs and dances.

What is the Spanish dance flamenco?

Flamenco dance (baile) is a highly-expressive, Spanish dance form. The flamenco is a solo dance characterized by hand clapping, percussive footwork, and intricate hand, arm, and body movements. The dance is usually accompanied by a singer and guitar player.

Is flamenco a traditional Spanish dance?

Origins. Originally from Southern Spain, specifically the Andalusia region, Flamenco as a traditional Spanish dancing style has only been documented for the past two hundred years. Today it is practiced throughout Spain and around the world.

Why is flamenco important in Spain?

During Franco’s dictatorship, flamenco played a dual role: on one hand, it was adopted by the regimen as one of the representative pillars of Spanish culture; on the other, it embodied rebellion and was used to oppose the regime — flamenco protest songs were common throughout the ’60s.

How did flamenco dance get its name?

Flamenco culture originated in Andalusia (Spain), but has since become one of the icons of Spanish music and even Spanish culture in general. The word Flamenco in Spanish originally meant Flemish.

Why is flamenco important?

Flamenco is an art that explores the deepest feelings, such as pain, loneliness, anguish, despair, love, lack of love, passion and joy and these are transmitted through voice and movement.

Does flamenco tell a story?

Flamenco in Paradores The Paradores of Andalusia recognize flamenco as a form of story-telling. The luxury hotels in Granada, Cadíz and Carmona are geographically situated to tell these stories. These stories are not written down – they are not tangible.