Flamenco

Flamenco is an individualistic folk art, a genuine Southern art form, which was mainly originated by Andalusian gypsies. It exists in 3 forms: El cante, song, el baile, dance and guitarrra, guitar playing. Its roots also are with Arabs, Spanish Jews and socially outcasted Christians. The flamenco essence is song, which is usually accompanied by guitar and improvised dance. Complex rhythmic patterns and sophisticated footwork differs from other European dance forms.

The word "flamenco" has been questioned on why an Adalucian music form would be represented by a word that meant Flemish or flamingos. Most believe that it was Carlos I who brought with him to Spain from Flanders an entire Flemish court. These Flemish court men, on their spare time, partied with the gypsies. The two were groups were called Flemish which later translated into flamencos and as their dance culture blossomed, the word stuck.

The dance music of flamenco is often divided into 3 categories: jondo, chico, or cante. Jondo is a word that means profound or serious. The music of this sort is usually intensely sad having to do with death, anguish or despair and also characterized as the cry of oppressed people for many years. Chico means light and deals with love, gaiety, humor or the countryside. El Cante is the most important which inspires "el toque" guitar playing and 'el baile."

An example of a jondo would be a more serious flamenco in which hatred...