Flamenco — Masterpiece of Heritage of Humanity (UNESCO)
The origins of this highly expressive form of Spanish folk music.
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Almost everybody who comes to Spain gets in touch with flamenco, a highly expressive form of Spanish folk music. But what are its origins?
Flamenco history has only been documented for the past two hundred years. Anything before this time comes from stories and legends that have been passed down through family dynasties, just like the flamenco song itself. Flamenco in its original form was only voice, a primitive cry or chant accompanied only by the rhythm which would be beaten out on the floor by a wooden staff or cane.
Flamenco is made up of four elements, Cante-Voice, Baile-Dance, Toque-Guitar, and the Jaleo, involving handclapping, foot stomping, and shouts of encouragement, which is performed by the the artists and anyone else who feels the urge to participate.
Another important component of flamenco is the element known as duende, and this is shrouded in as much mystery as flamenco itself. Writers and poets over the years have given duende a magical and mysterious meaning, a spiritual significance that goes beyond human understanding. “Duende a strange presence that everybody senses but no philosopher can explain ,”
Many believe flamenco to be the invention of the gypsies, and although they have been the main protagonists of the art, they are not its sole creators.
When the gypsies arrived in Andalucia from India around 1425, when Andalucía was still under Arab rule, they brought with them many song and dance styles. Along with the Jews and the moors, the gypsies were soon to be persecuted by the Catholic monarchs and the inquisition.
As a result, bands of gypsies, moors, and Jews were taking refuge in treacherous mountainous areas, living there in relative harmony for many years. The fusion of their music and dances are what we know today as flamenco.
In the eighteenth century attitude towards the gypsies changed considerably, which resulted in numerous bands of gypsies descending on the small villages and towns, bringing with them their exciting, seductive music- flamenco. At first, this music was not considered worthy of attention, and flamenco was only performed in the homes and private get together of the gypsies.
In 2010 UNESCO declared flamenco one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
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Originally published at www.tlcspain.com on June 4, 2015.
