Story 3: Flamenco workshop

Flamenco

The university organised a Flamenco workshop for the Erasmus students and I of course had to apply, because I find Flamenco absolutely fascinating and would love to learn more about it and this was, again, another great opportunity for me to get to know the Erasmus students.

The Flamenco history has been known in Spain for over 200 years. Anything before this time is a speculation for everyone. Most of what is known from before this era comes from tales and legends passed down through families. One thing that the people know for sure is that it all started with no more than a voice, followed by the rhythm of a wooden staff or cane pounding on the floor. Flamenco consists of four elements: Voice, dance, guitar and the Jaleo, which is also known as “hell raising” and is associated with handclapping, shouts of encouragement and foot stomping. Many claim that flamenco is the gypsies creation, and while they have been the art's key leader, they are not its sole inventors.

There are two categories when it comes down to Flamenco song: Cante gitano, gypsy songs, and Cante andaluz, andalucian songs. It all started when the gypsies from India arrived in Andalucía in 1425. Many songs and dance styles, with significant links to the Indian culture, were conveyed to the Andalusian people. Andalucía was already under Arab rule at this time, and the Catholic monarchs and the inquisition were soon to persecute the gypsies along with the Jews and the moors. The moors were forced to submit to Christianity, and inability to do so resulted in expulsion from Spain, the Jews encountered a similar fate, and in an effort to exterminate them as a group the gypsies were subjected to some of the worst massacres. Various monarchs passed many laws which prohibited them from having anything to do with their identity. They were to stop wearing their style of clothing, stop speaking in the Romanian language, and quit their wanderings and pursue decent jobs, which expressly forbade them from gaining money through the traditional gypsy characteristics such as horse trading, fair trade, and witchcraft. Such laws and prohibitions culminated in groups of gypsies, moors and Jews seeking shelter in hazardous mountainous areas that were too remote for the authorities to enforce. For several years these diverse cultures have lived in peace and harmony, and the convergence of their music and dances is what we all know as flamenco.

It is very fascinating to know that such a large and impressive history lies behind a dance. Who would have guessed? I am very glad that I was able to learn more about this dance with the company of many great Erasmus students. This dance is quite difficult, seeing as you are not only focussed on clapping your hands but also your feet in rhythm with the music. Once you have practised these two for a couple of times it will all go naturally, but what I struggled with the most was the way you have to move your hands and curl your fingers. 

What I found the most intriguing about this dance was the passion in the eyes of the Flamenco dancer. It is all about facial expressions with this dance and I looked in awe when the teacher performed a dance for us. I believe that the UMA does everything in its power to make sure that the Erasmus students have the opportunity to discover the culture and history of Malaga. I was in such high spirits after this workshop and I am so glad that I chose this university. This really is a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.