Flamenco: The Spanish dance characterised by hand-clapping
If you are a dancer, then it’s likely that you’ve heard of many national and international dance forms. Are you aware of the Spanish dance form Flamenco. Well, it’s a genre of folk dance accompanied by folk music that is native to the Andalusia region of Spain.
What is Flamenco?
Those who know, know that the Flamenco dance is a highly-expressive Spanish dance form that is usually performed solo. This dance form comprises of three parts, the playing of guitar (or ‘guitarra’), the song (or ‘cante’) and dance (or ‘baile’). It is characterised by the clapping of hands, percussive footwork and some intricate body movements, such as sweeping arm movements as well as rhythmic feet stomping. When the dancer performs, he or she should be accompanied by a singer and a guitar player.
The origin tale of Flamenco
Flamenco originated in the southern parts of Spain in late 18th century, more specifically in the Andalusian region that is the native place of the gypsy tribe ‘Roma’ or ‘Gitanos.’ What’s interesting here is that the Gitanos is thought to have migrated from the north-western part of the Indian subcontinent between 9th and 14th centuries. It is believed that they brought with them the culture of folk dancing often accompanied by the sound of bells, tambourines and wooden castanets that was later upgraded to guitar. It is also presumed that the Roma music is a mix of cultures, starting with the Sephardic Jews to the Moors of southern Spain. As for the dance movements, it is said to closely resemble those of classical Hindu dance forms, such as the Odissi. No wonder, people who practise flamenco (the man is known as ‘bailaore’ and the woman is called ‘bailaora’) consider it as an art form inspired by all the world cultures.
Evolution of the dance form
Originally, flamenco was not to be performed to music (like in present times) but comprised of only singing and clapping of hands often called ‘toque de palmas.’ Moreover, the conventional flamenco performers hardly received any formal training. It was an art from passed down from one generation to the next.
As for the modern dance, it typically commences with the dancer standing motionless and devoid of any expression for the first few moments of the song. But gradually, when the performers start to feel the music, they should quickly transition into steady beats of hand clapping. Once the premise is set and the emotion is built, the passionate body movements begin wherein one has to engage in non-verbal expression of spontaneous emotions.
Interesting, since 2010, flamenco has been recognised as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity as deemed by the UNESCO.