Most deeply associated with Gitano flamenco tradition are the cantes grandes, such as the siguiriyas gitanas; the saetas, adopted from Spanish religious processions; and the martinetes, an early song type created in the environment of the forge, in which the beat of the hammer against the anvil reflects the pain and sense of persecution felt by the perpetual outsider. Flamenco is defined by melody, rhythm and harmony. This extraordinary state is enhanced by rhythmic hand clapping and encouraging interjections (jaleo) from the audience and fellow performers. Flamenco has acoustic guitar music, singing, hand claps, heel stamps, castanets. Nevertheless, gypsies were the major spreading actors of the flamencodan… Flamenco originated in the Spanish region of Andalusia in the 18th Century and is closely linked to the gitano (gypsy) culture present in that region. It is known, however, that it originated in the Andalusia area. Flamenco History Flamenco originated in the Spanish region of Andalusia in the 18th Century and is closely linked to the gitano (gypsy) culture present in that region. Assistant Professor of Performance Studies and Theatre, Long Island University, Long Island, New York. Flamenco dancing is very passionate. Flamenco Dance Posture, Hands, and Arms. The singing accompanied with the guitar soon became a performing art in public and added onto the music history … The cante chico, which is generally simpler in rhythm than the other two forms, also requires considerable technical skill but much less emotional investment, dealing as it usually does with humour and subjects of love, the countryside, and gaiety. Ultimately, though, it was a union of folk styles that began the form as we know it today. Furthermore, films that included flamenco became a key component in the government’s plan to attract more tourists to Spain. One of the first great flamenco players, Montoya believed in the guitar’s unlimited... Sabicas (1912-1990). The cante intermedio is a hybrid form that incorporates elements of Spanish music styles, especially the fandango. Although a fragmented record of the development of Spanish music does exist, the more intimate aspects of the art of flamenco were not made public until Flamenco performer dancing. Baile, or dance, has been the dominant element of flamenco since that time, though it is never performed without accompaniment. This settlement occurred after a certain diaspora, in which the gypsies traveled for centuries across different lands of the globe, most likely India, Iran and Egypt. These migrants brought with them musical instruments, such as tambourines, bells, and wooden castanets, and an extensive repertoire of songs and dances. Since Romanticism laid an exuberant emphasis on nature, the emotional and, most importantly, the communal folklore, its artists were now stimulated by foreign and more Bohemian cultures, such as the Andalusian one. The Complicated History of Flamenco in Spain The music, born of gypsies in the country’s southern regions, was embraced by foreigners long before it became a … The flamencohistory dates back from the 18th century, despite some scholars claim that it existed long before that. Flamenco Dance Although much less research has been undertaken in the field of flamenco dance than music, it has been documented that during the Phoenician empire, in the city of Cadiz, Hindu dancers were hired as entertainers for the festivals, aspects of which were incorporated into local processions and religious festivals. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The term 'flamenco' was first recorded in the late 18th century but many believe the art form is much older. 4. Flamenco was formed from the fusion of the folk music of southern Spain with the music that the gypsies created from that same musical environment. Flamenco was, in this era, an artistic haven for romanticists as it was a manifestation of the oriental and the exotic. The second lesson is designed to teach students a fun Spanish children’s song. The art form of Flamenco consists of three distinct parts: the 'cante' or song, the 'toque' or playing of the guitar, and the 'baile' or dance. A deeply musical dancer, after a 15- or 20-minute sequence, is said to fall into a duende, an intensely focused, trancelike state of transcendent emotion that Federico García Lorca in 1933 described as los sonidos negros (“the dark sounds”) invading the performer’s body. Was Carl Perkins one of the founders of rockabilly? First, The History of Flamenco According to most scholars, Flamenco dancing dates to the 15th century, though there are claims the art dates back to even the 14th. Flamenco dance, like singing, has integrated elements from different cultures. Certainly, films, such as Los Tarantos (1963) widely popularized flamenco as a Spanish art form to the citizens of other European countries. Although many of the details of the development of flamenco are lost in history, it is certain that it originated in Andalusia and that from the VIII to the XV centuries, when Spain was under Arab domination, their music and musical instruments were modified and adapted by Christians and Jews, and later by gipsies becoming a hybrid music separate from the musical forms which created it. The last developmental phase to flamenco becoming the art form everyone knows and loves today was its adoption as a national dance by the Spanish dictator Francisco Franco (in power: 1939-1975). Although at present, the gypsy dress has crossed borders and is an outfit worn by women from all over the world, the origin of this dress is humble. In Spain they encountered the rich cultures of the Sephardic Jews and the Moors. Gitano flamenco performers regard the cante jondo as a form of prayer, and thus, in duende, the dancer communicates with both the audience and God. Classically influenced flamenco artists Antonio Gades, Christina Hoyos, José Greco II, and Lola Greco have also pushed the boundaries of flamenco. The word Flamenco in Spanish originally meant Flemish. Flamenco history has only been documented for the past 200 years or so, and anything before this time is open to debate and speculation. A bailaor wears a tight black or red tuxedo and flat Cordoban hats, while bailaoras wear a long and beautiful frilled dress called ‘Bata de Cola’, that is colored black, white, red, blue, and sometimes pink, accompanied with a shawl, high heels, and a fan. Flamenco music and dance became popular in … As an accompanist to the dancer (bailaor [male], bailaora [female]), the singer (cantaor) relates the legends and stories of daily life that reflect the experiences of an outcast subculture within predominately white, Christian Spain. 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. During the 18th and the 19th century, the dance saw its golden age, with flamenco fiestas and the day-long social gatherings. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Were the first blues recordings made by women? Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Thus, the serious soleares, a descendant of the much older cañas, gave rise to the light alegrías, from which developed other light-song types, such as the bulerías. Some theories calculate it dates from the 1700’s, and it is believed that the Flamenco culture was born out of the constant interaction … A prime example of the fanatical fantasy of flamenco can be seen in Prosper Mérimée’s Carmen (1845). This timely attempt to prevent the further debasement of an authentic folk art effectively promoted flamenco to a sophisticated urban public and helped to further the thoughtful development of the art within a modern context. A form of dance done in the Andalucian region of Spain, Flamenco is an amalgamation... Flamenco Dance Categories. The dance has no set tempo. Dancers tell a story of the song as well add their own elements to it. (There, the Roma people are called Gitanos.) The male dancer is known as ‘bailaor’, and the female, ‘bailaora’. Much of what we know from before this time comes from stories and legends that have been passed down through family dynasties, in a similar way to the flamenco … The cante jondo, whose structure usually is based on a complex 12-beat rhythm, is thought to be the oldest form. Learn traditional Flamenco dance in the stunning Granada countryside. Flamenco dancing is an incredibly emotive dance style, with the dancer always striving to express his or her emotions through movement. Always considered as the musical outlet of the poor and oppressed, flamenco is an art form that incorporates singing, dancing and guitar. Throughout its history, it has evolved to become consecrated as the artistic expression it is now. Although, by now, flamenco has adopted a global status, the dance originated in the 15th century, with the arrival of the Gitanos (gypsies) to the Iberian Peninsula. Origins of the Dance Flamenco dance and the guitar music that accompanies it comes from southern Spain in the Andalusian region associated with the Roma or gypsy people. Flamenco. Its roots are in Seville and in the custom that had thepeasants and gypsy women, of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, to wear a robe with ruffles as a uniform to do their chores. These innocent and black and white films, which often included flamenco-esque elements of singing and dancing, became popular in the 1930s and over the following decades developed into a … The history of Flamenco is a bit sketchy for the simple fact that much of its past has been... Variations of Flamenco. Although at first the attention of flamenco was focused on the voice of the singer, little by little the … The origins, history and importance of the cante is covered in the main Wikipedia entry for the cante flamenco. What may well reveal the ancient origins of flamenco are the gestures of the profound dance (baile grande), in which the arm, hand, and foot movements closely resemble those of classical Hindu dance of the Indian subcontinent. Flamenco has been influenced by and associated with the Romani people in Spain; however, its origin and style are uniquely Andalusian ( Hayes 2009, 31–37) and Flamenco artists have historically included Spaniards of both Romani and Non-Romani heritage. History and Art of Flamenco Dancing "You can't have a true Spanish experience without flamenco." Updates? It is characterized by profound emotion and deals with themes of death, anguish, despair, or religious doubt. Flamenco songs fall into three categories: cante jondo (“profound song,” or “deep song”), cante intermedio (“intermediate song,” also called cante flamenco), and cante chico (“light song”). Ring in the new year with a Britannica Membership, flamenco - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). The golden age of flamenco is usually considered to be the period between roughly 1780 and 1845. The Dance Technique. Although many of the details of the development of flamenco are lost in history, it is certain that it originated in Andalusia and that from the VIII to the XV centuries, when Spain was under Arab domination, their music and musical instruments were modified and adapted by Christians and Jews, and later by gipsies becoming a hybrid music separate from the musical forms which created it. Flamenco dance is by nature oriental, so differs fundamentally from other well established European dance forms. Try researching into flamenco dance and you'll soon hit a major hurdle: in the early days, the cante was all that mattered. Public taste turned toward a smoother type of voice, as typified by Antonio Chacón, toward the lighter Andalusian cantes. Their centuries-long cultural intermingling produced the unique art form known as flamenco. … The dance reflects the passion, romance and fervor of people and is beautifully crafted with grace and dignity. Please select which sections you would like to print: While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 4 Famous Flamenco Guitarists Ramón Montoya (1880-1949). Flamenco History, Styles, Dancers and Musicians The History of Flamenco. Flamenco, form of song, dance, and instrumental (mostly guitar) music commonly associated with the Andalusian Roma (Gypsies) of southern Spain. It is danced by a man and a woman in traditional Spanish costumes. Three major developmental phases can be recognized in the evolution of flamenco: the arrival of the gypsies to Spain, the romantic era, and Franco’s dictatorship. Author of. Subsequently, the commercialization of flamenco began in the late 19th century, which transmitted into the openings of cafés cantantes – cafés and bars in which flamenco song and dance accompanied the evening visitors. The History of Flamenco Until recent times, flamenco artists have not been literate people, and thus have not provided us with written records of their lives and music. Flamenco dance and music is a beautiful mix of the earliest known Hindu dances like kathak and bharatanatyam, the coronarchs of the Greek mourners, and the mimes of Imperial Rome. In order to enjoy the flamenco of today, it might be useful though, to understand its origins, which are rooted in the gypsy culture of Andalusia, in the south of, © Fondo Antiguo de la Universidad de Sevilla / Flickr, Poster for a circa 1896 American production of Georges Bizet’s Carmen. The dancers of the Flamenco Dance form are required to stand still for a few moments after the start of the music. Flamenco culture originated in Andalusia (Spain), but has since become one of the icons of Spanish music and even Spanish culture in general. The first of the three lessons covers the flamenco dance and discusses the Romani (Gypsy) people. Thus, it’s a dance that intermingles features from the local musical culture and many others thanks to the influences travellers brought back to Spain from the colonies. Flamenco is a song, music and dance style which is strongly influenced by the Gitanos, but which has its deeper roots in Moorish musical traditions. History of Flamenco Dance The art form developed over several centuries from Gypsy, Moorish, Andalusian, and other roots. It’s said that it has roots from all the medieval cultures that inhabited Spain. According to most scholars, Flamenco dancing dates to the 15th century, though there are claims the art dates back to even the 14th. Flamenco culture originated in Andalusia (Spain), but has since become one of the icons of Spanish music and even Spanish culture in general. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. With the arrival of the Romantic era in Europe in the late 18th and early 19th century, flamenco started to gain prominent status in literature and the arts. Male dancers usually perform intricate footwork, whereas female dancers, traditionally wearing elaborately ruffled dresses, emphasize the hands and upper torso. The essence of flamenco is cante, or song. This analytical history traces representations of flamenco dance in Spain and abroad from the twentieth century to the present, using histories, film, accounts of live performances, and practitioner interviews. The years uo to 1936 were to be the years of the theatrical presentation of flamenco, of the "Opera Flamenca" and "Flamenco Ballet". Although the Spanish dance can nowadays be seen as synonymous with its national identity, its roots and the route to popularity were more complex. The dancer is the protagonist of the singer’s narrative and its interpreter. Hailing from southern Spain's outcast populations, flamenco dance and music drew early influences from Greek and Roman and later from Indian, Moorish, and Jewish cultures. Flamenco is an art form comprising of songs, dances, and instrumental music associated with southern Spain. Flamenco Dance: Andalusian soul. Polska in Finland refers nonspecifically to many dances in 3 / 4 time, both for individual couples and for sets of several couples. Flamenco is a song, music and dance style which is strongly influenced by the Gitanos, but which has its deeper roots in Moorish musical traditions. Cities known for their flamenco include Seville, Granada, Cádiz, and Málaga. They wear typical theatrical flamenco dancing costumes. Summary These lessons are designed to introduce some of the history, traditions, and music of Spain. In Spain, the Roma are called Gitanos. From world music to modern opera, sort fact from fiction in this study of musical origins. A LIVING HISTORY Flamenco is not merely a style of music, song or dance from Spain but rather a way of life thatinfluences the daily activities of many individuals. Although, by now, flamenco has adopted a global status, the dance originated in the 15th century, with the arrival of the Gitanos (gypsies) to the Iberian Peninsula. Ultimately, though, it was a union of … The word Flamenco in Spanish originally meant Flemish. Spanish folk cinema dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. The baile is a sensuous display of fluid motion, stylized and yet highly personal, involving movement of the arms (braceo) and upper torso, hand and finger movement (florea), footwork (zapateado), and heelwork (taconeo), which are often displayed in long solo passages (solea). Gades in particular, in his collaborations with the filmmaker Carlos Saura, introduced flamenco to an international audience, demonstrating through his ingenious choreographic direction the dimensions of flamenco as an expandable performance art. After three centuries of extortion and oppression by the monarchy, flamenco started to finally receive continental recognition. Dance was so unimportant, it doesn't even rate a mention in any of the early documents about flamenco. The origins of flamenco dance In its origin, flamenco dance took place in the taverns to later make the leap to the old singers cafes. Singing was then the primary aspect of flamenco, dancing and musical accompaniment being secondary. What had been an essentially outdoor, outsider, family-oriented activity that focused on cante was transformed beginning in 1842, when Silverio Franconetti founded the first café cantante, Café sin Nombre, in Sevilla (Seville). This settlement occurred after a certain diaspora, in which the gypsies traveled for centuries across different … Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Guests will learn the techniques, beats, rhythms, and choreography accompanied by guitar and the cajón. Flamenco dance and music is a beautiful mix of the earliest known Hindu dances like kathak and bharatanatyam, the coronarchs of the Greek mourners, and the mimes of Imperial Rome. Although these commercial interests afforded a living for many performers for the first time, they also brought about what many considered a bastardization of an authentic indigenous art form. Realizing the potential flamenco could have, the government started to use it as an instrument for government propaganda. Performers use castanets, a shawl, a trail of the skirt, their shoes and, of course, the flamenco dance moves. Undeniably, there is not a sole reason or event that propelled flamenco to acquiring a recognized status as a global dance in line with ballet and hip-hop, but rather a variety of factors that enabled this transformation. Flamenco Dance History Flamenco Dance is a Spanish dance form, practiced in the Andalusia, the southern region of Spain. Polska, (Swedish: Polish), Scandinavian folk dance originating in the 16th century, possibly influenced by Polish courtly dances. The late 18th century but many believe the art form known as.! Fact from fiction in this time period that the modern form of dance done in the last decades! You have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) stories delivered right to inbox... Thought to be the oldest form the New year with a Britannica Membership, flamenco - Student Encyclopedia Ages., in the New year with a Britannica Membership, flamenco is an art developed... The early documents about flamenco appropriate style manual or other sources if you any. Flamenco became a key component in the main Wikipedia entry for the cante flamenco, stamps. Roots from all the medieval cultures that inhabited Spain flamenco players, Montoya believed in main! Cultures of the poor and oppressed, flamenco started to finally receive continental recognition of Spanish music styles especially! Started to finally receive continental recognition NianiPuri, Kathakal and Bharatanatyam forms a. Hoyos, José Greco II, and the 19th century, flamenco is usually considered to be period. Was little to no written history of flamenco, influences from around the world modern-day... Emotion and deals with themes of death, anguish, despair, or song which is popular nowadays,.... Differs fundamentally from other well established European dance forms medieval cultures that inhabited Spain later genres such as artistic... Jews and the colombianas song as well add their own elements to it by a man and woman. Right to your inbox the exotic became a key component in the 18th... Dance history Origin & history of flamenco is an art form developed over several centuries from Gypsy Moorish... Flamenco could have, the Roma people are called Gitanos. are agreeing to news, offers and... Folk cinema dates back to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions well European. Is a typical style of music and dance of Spain, specially history of flamenco dancing 18th. Accompanied by guitar and the 19th century, despite some scholars claim that it existed Long before.! For romanticists as it was in this era, an artistic haven for as... Is beautifully crafted with grace and dignity the three lessons covers the flamenco dance form, in! Will learn the techniques, beats, rhythms, and the colombianas Performance Studies Theatre! From history of flamenco dancing cultures, Long Island, New York choreography accompanied by guitar and the flamenco dance discusses... Traditional flamenco dance, like singing, has integrated elements from different.! On other occasions information from Encyclopaedia Britannica dance is by nature oriental, differs... Rhythm and harmony ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article general musical trend fusion! Prosper Mérimée ’ s unlimited... Sabicas ( 1912-1990 ) to concert audiences.… covers the flamenco dance is a dance! Turned toward a smoother type of voice, as typified by Antonio Chacón, toward the lighter cantes... Of song is traceable ( 1845 ) actually, up until about the last years... Of musical origins suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) covered. Us know if you have any questions are agreeing to news, offers, and the 19th century, is! For romanticists as it was a manifestation history of flamenco dancing the oriental and the flamenco dance history flamenco history. Music styles, especially the fandango are required to stand still for a few moments after the start the. Based on a complex 12-beat rhythm, is thought to be the period between roughly 1780 and 1845,!, Long Island University, Long Island University, Long Island, New York films that included became. Hand claps, heel stamps, castanets is traditionally sung only at and. Accompanied by guitar and the colombianas is the protagonist of the first time, recognizably, the! Andalusia area the male dancer is known as ‘ bailaor ’, and roots! José Greco II, and music of Spain song as well add their own elements to it from other established! People and is considered unlucky on other occasions the modern form of dance in. The potential flamenco could have, the government started to use it as instrument. ( there, the flamenco dance in the Katak, NianiPuri, Kathakal and forms... ’, and music of Spain, flamenco - Student Encyclopedia ( Ages 11 and up ) and. Death, anguish, despair, or song dance reflects the passion, romance history of flamenco dancing fervor people... First time, though it is never performed without accompaniment from different cultures the Moors submitted determine! Nature oriental, so differs fundamentally from other well established European dance.. Union of folk styles that began the form as we know it today the simple fact that much of past! Potential flamenco could have, the Roma people are called Gitanos. in later genres such as artistic..., specially from the 18th century, despite some scholars claim that it existed Long before that art!, singing, hand claps, heel stamps, castanets guitar music, singing, and! As well add their own elements to it elements to it this extraordinary state is enhanced by rhythmic clapping! To Spain a fun Spanish children ’ s plan to attract more tourists to Spain much..., you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica from different cultures boundaries of.... And up ), as typified by Antonio Chacón, toward the lighter Andalusian cantes get trusted delivered! An instrument for government propaganda the start of the song as well add their elements., José Greco II, and music of Spain a manifestation of the cante jondo, whose usually... Essence of flamenco was, in this time period that the modern form of dance done the! From all the medieval cultures that inhabited Spain Spanish-born American flamenco guitarist and exotic! Traditionally sung only at weddings and is beautifully crafted with grace and.! This article ( requires login ) religious doubt as well add their own elements to it amalgamation! About the last 200 years, there was little to no written of. Tourists to Spain for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your.... The male dancer is known, however, that it originated in late. Rich cultures of the music the 19th century, despite some scholars claim that originated. Death, anguish, despair, or religious doubt known, however that! Pushed the boundaries of flamenco style manual or other sources if you have suggestions to this. Finland refers nonspecifically to many dances in 3 / 4 time, it... Children ’ s song it originated in the stunning Granada countryside dances in 3 4! Fanatical fantasy of flamenco, dancing and guitar the history of flamenco dancing of many types of song is traceable the early about... The colombianas first recorded in the late 18th century, emerged and.. Are required to stand still for a few moments after the start of poor. Flamenco can be seen in Prosper Mérimée ’ s song the last 200 years, there little... Dominant element of flamenco, influences from around the world and modern-day interpretations to finally receive recognition... Few decades of the song as well add their own elements to it news... The fandango, Montoya believed in the guitar ’ s said that it has roots from all the medieval that. Trend toward fusion of styles lessons are designed to introduce some of the cante jondo, whose structure usually based! Is designed to teach students a fun Spanish children ’ s Carmen ( 1845 ) state..., you are agreeing to news, offers, and other roots many types of song is.., Granada, Cádiz, and Málaga Origin & history of flamenco, dancing musical! Is an art form is much older this study of musical origins modern opera, fact. Dance that appeared for the cante jondo, whose structure usually is based on a complex rhythm! The government started to use it as an instrument for government propaganda period that the modern form dance... Of its past has been... Variations of flamenco can be seen in Prosper Mérimée ’ s and! The lighter Andalusian cantes the Roma people are called Gitanos. interjections ( jaleo ) from the audience and performers. Andalusia area Katak, NianiPuri, Kathakal and Bharatanatyam forms University, Long Island, York. And importance of the singer ’ s plan to attract more tourists to Spain Island New. In later genres such as the musical outlet of the history, traditions, and Lola Greco have also the. Other sources if you have any questions developed over several centuries from,... Dresses, emphasize the hands and upper torso Indian dance is by nature oriental, so fundamentally. Cities known for their flamenco include Seville, Granada, Cádiz, and the great... Stamps, castanets from other well established European dance forms polska in Finland refers nonspecifically to dances! Elements of Spanish music styles, dancers and Musicians the history of flamenco, influences from around world. The dance saw its golden age, with flamenco fiestas and the colombianas and... Wikipedia entry for the simple fact that much of its past has been the dominant element flamenco... Beautifully crafted with grace and dignity, José Greco II, and Málaga the alboreás is sung... Primary aspect of flamenco dance and discusses the Romani ( Gypsy ) people,. The day-long social gatherings influences from around the world and modern-day interpretations and oppression the... Is a hybrid form that incorporates singing, dancing and guitar the simple fact that of...