Flamenco Dance
The Flamenco Dance was originated in the region of Andalucía, in the southern part of Spain. This dance was created by the gypsies (Gitanos) who are nomadic tribes who came from the northern part of India. This dance is believed to have been created with influences from Greek, Roman, Indian, Moorish and Jewish cultures. Rutuja Jathar in her article, Facts about Flamenco Dance, explains the many descriptions the word ‘flamenco’ has “In Spain, the word Flamenco is named for its native bird the 'Greater Flamingo”. Another version that I found was from a blog site named tribalmind that states the following; “The meaning of the word flamenco, as well as the origin of the gypsies have some versions, the most consistent with the beginning of the Gypsy walking comes from the Arabic "fellah mengu" that means peasant fugitive, another that is widely accepted is that "Flamenco" comes from the Germanic word flamancia (flame), a term applied because of their strong and impulsive temper.”
Forms: World Concert/Ritual Dance
Flamenco forms are considered a world dance as it belongs to, and originated in, Spain. Dennis J. Sporre explains on his book Reality thru the Arts “this name describes dances specific to a particular country” (Sporre 181). Flamenco is also a ritual dance according to the labels of ritual dance described in the same above mentioned book “dancing having ceremonial functions, formal characteristics, and particular prescribed procedures that pass from generations to generations”. (Sporre 181) Flamenco is performed in weddings as one of the videos enclosed in my blog shows how young people dance and sing Flamenco during the wedding. Flamenco also has formal characteristics such as the Flamenco steps, and body movements that are unique to Flamenco style movements.
Folk Dance
According to Sporre, who states that “Folk dances began as necessary or informative part of certain societies, and their characteristics always identify stylistically with a given culture.” (Sporre 182) I conclude that the Flamenco Dance is a folk dance. According to Hadia aka Josefina De Leon in her article “Spanish Gypsy and Flamenco Dance History”,
“Between 800 and 900 A.D., a large exodus of people occurred from the Punjabi region of India. These people are believed to be members of the Untouchables, a group within the Indian caste system comprised of animal traders and trainers, acrobats, dancers, musicians, palmists and metalworkers. These nomadic groups, generally referred to as Roman and/or gypsies, divided into two major migratory routes, the most traceable moving west across Asia and the European continent, including Spain. The first recorded account of Spanish Gitanos "Beticos" dates from 1447 in Barcelona. It is also believed that a second migratory route took them down to and across North Africa (including Egypt) and up into Southern Spain "Andalusia" via the Strait of Gibraltar. This faction, known as Cale (black), has been far more difficult to verify and trace due to the great similarity of appearance and lifestyle to the indigenous peoples along the route. We should not forget that Southern Spain was part of the Islamic Empire for a period of 800 years.” (Hadia)
I have read and watched videos about the Flamenco Dance in which traditions are reflected. For example, I watched a video (which is included in my blog) where people are singing lyrics that reflect an anguished tone, and suddenly a woman stands up with a deep feeling and starts dancing the Flamenco. She danced as if the lyrics brought memories of something sad. It is said that the Jondo Cante singing reflects the time of suffering of the gypsies.
Line, Form, and Repetition
Line, form and repetitions cue audiences to know where the dances are from. Even to people that are not a dance experts know that some forms belong to specific dances. Flamenco has a zapateao (shoe stomp) that is a series of repetitions that at times is accompanied with handclapping (palmas). Hadia states in her article “Spanish Gypsy and Flamenco Dance History”, that “Elements such as the deep-seated plie, outturned leg position, sharp angles of the body and arms, splayed fingers, rapid barrel turns and, most certainly, the percussive foot movements are all evident in flamenco dance.” (Hadia)
Rhythm
The flamenco dance is performed to the rhythm (al compás) of songs (cante) and toque (guitar music)
Music
According to Paul Solanki in his article in www.buzzle.com The History of Spanish Flamenco Dance “The three main categories of Flamenco music and dance are: Jondo or the grande, which depicts the lament and the grief of the people. It centers on themes of death, anguish, despair or religious sentiment.
Intermedio (intermediate), which is of a lesser intensity, but is reflective in nature. It is often accompanied with an oriental cast to the music. Chico (small or light), which depict the feelings of love, ribald humor and happiness.
Think of the fire, the passion and the defiance of those stomping feet, for these are what make the Spanish Flamenco Dance an integral part of Spain's culture. With its roots deeply embedded in Andalusia, the southern region of Spain, Flamenco is a passionate music and dance form that originated with the gypsies or Spain's outcast populations. Although the origins of the dance form and the etymology of the word itself cannot be deciphered exactly, it is believed that the origin of flamenco stems from the Greek, Roman and then from the Indian, Moorish and the Jewish cultures.” (Solanki)
Mise-en-Scène
I see Flamenco Dance as a theatrical performance. The way the audience responds to the dancers is usually with handclapping to the rhythm of the cante and with cheers of olé. The flamenco dancers interact with the floor throughout the shoe stomp (zapateao). The use of the space in the scene, if the dancers are in pairs, the scene usually reflects a courtship. Sometimes the scene will portray a competition especially in the steps of the shoe stomp. Sporre explains “in many dances we see costumes high in lifelike. They may help to portray character, locality, and other aspects of the dance.” (Sporre 188) In an article from www.donquijote.org the unknown author gives details about the dress of the flamenco women dancers “Flamenco clothes are now thought of as traditionally Andalusian clothes but actually originated from the Spanish Gypsies (Romani people) in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Women, dressed in calico gowns with ruffles, accompanied livestock traders that gathered at the Prado de San Sebastián for what would become Seville's Feria de Abril (April Fair).” (Spanish Flamenco Dress)
Moving image
In the visual elements of the Flamenco Dance I observe the vertical lines that suggest the stylishness and magnificence of the bailaoras and bailaores (dancers); I also observe the diagonal lines that stimulate their feelings which usually reflect passion and sadness.
Force
Flamenco Dance projects force through the cante; zapatiao; rapid half turns, and the fast change of their arms position
Sign language
I was looking for more details on the hand movements of the flamenco dancers, but other than they came from India I could not find the significance of the hand movements. In reading Indian Dance articles, I found that some arms and hand movements signify abandonment, fights between man and woman, and suffering from being alone, but nothing specifically related to the Spanish Flamenco; it is possible that throughout the years the traditions become hybrid. The use of castanets is believed that was implemented for tourism purposes only. It is no castanets use in the traditional Flamenco dance.
Color
The colors most used in the dresses of flamenco dance are the white, red, and blue. Most dresses are designed with Polka dots, have ruffles on the skirt and on the sleeves and are ankle length. The colorful of the costumes enhances the flamenco dance, which gives this tradition a touch of elegance
Doing a research in Flamenco Dance gave me the opportunity to learn history through one of the earliest art. I also learned that Flamenco dance and music has been declared to be a cultural treasure by UNESCO. CBCNews announced on November of 2010 the following “Performers of the booming style of song and guitar-strumming accompanied by rapid-fire clapping and heel-clicking called the honor long overdue. Flamenco got the nod as an intangible piece of cultural heritage at a UNESCO meeting Tuesday in Nairobi, Kenya.” (Press)
References
Hadia. "History of Flamenco." n.d. http://www.centralhome.com/ballroomcountry. 10 March 2013.
Press, Associated. "Spain's Flamenco Declared Cultural Treasure." 16 10 2010. http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/theatre/story. 4 3 2013.
Solanki, Paul. "The Story of Spanish Flamenco Dance." n.d. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/history-of-spanish-flamenco-dance.html.
"Spanish Flamenco Dress." n.d. http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/flamenco/spanish-flamenco-dress.asp. 4 March 2013.
Sporre, Dennis J. Reality Through the Arts. Upper Saddle Needle, NJ: Pearson, 2010.