Flamenco has a similar root to
bellydance, between 800 and 900 AD there was a large
Exodus of people from the Punjabi region of India, these people, believed to be "untouchables"
comprised of animal traders and trainers, acrobats, dancers, musicians, palmists and metalworkers. These nomadic groups, generally referred to as Romany or gypsies, divided into two major migratory routes, the most traceable moving west across Asia and the European continent, including Spain. this migration, known as the "diaspora" brought Indian dance styles and over time these movements were joined together with the traditional dance movements of the countries they moved through, thus in
bellydance we can see strands of Indian, Flamenco, Persian, Armenian and many other types of dance. The nomads that settled in Spain, which was then part of the Islamic Empire, brought us Flamenco.The most important element of flamenco music is undeniably the singing, "
Cante". Originally flamenco was comprised purely of
Cante, with
handclapping "
Palmas" or knuckle rapping percussive accompaniment. The guitar, a variation of the Arabic
Oud, was gradually incorporated in the 19
th century.
Flamenco dance has strong
resemblance to East Indian dance and there is some documentation of Hindu dancers being hired as entertainment during the
Phoenician period.
Ok enough of the education!!! here are some examples of Flamenco dance..pay attention to the hands and the posture...this is the feel we are going for in "
Choukrane"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqxJMCQxb_Qhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROfVqzJZ5XMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_d9JbcCJgI (
ok I included this one just to inspire you!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWP2Hz9U61Q this one is stunning!
hope you enjoyed the video clips...see you in class!
Mrs Shimmy xx