Flamenco!

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 19th 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_Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROfVqzJZ5XM

http://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