Illiana Viramontes by

1) The Brief History of Flamenco

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-09 19:18:15 UTC

Flamenco is a fiery dance that dates back over 200 years ago. Flamenco has a vast historical background that accompanies the cultural development of Spain! Flamenco is said to have been introduced in 1425 when the gypsies came down from India into Andalucia. Flamenco is an art of self expression that represents the culture of Spain. Flamenco is a dance that is based upon a variety of cultures, these cultures that helped influence and create Flamenco are the Greeks, Romans, Moorish, Jewish, and Indians.

2) The Birth of Flamenco

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-09 19:37:52 UTC

You may ask how did all these cultures come together and create this art. As stated before the gypsies came to Andalucía, this place was under Arab rule. The gypsies were persecuted similar to the Jews and Moors. Persecution was done by the Catholic Monarchs and the Inquisition. The Jews, Moors, and gypsies were subjected to cruel treatment, forced to give up their religion in favor of Christianity. Expulsion was a punishment for those who didn't obey, extermination was another measure used. Due to the tyranny, the Jews, Moors, and gypsies groups sought out a place away from this dictatorship. They settled in the mountains where they found peace for many years. During this peace their cultures fused together giving birth to Flamenco dancing.

3) Flamenco's Impact

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-09 20:04:27 UTC

Flamenco was practiced for many years in households but the public didn't have much interest in it. When the 18th century came along, Flamenco became recognized as a beautiful art! It was seen as an erotic and wild dance, it gave inspiration to romantic writers in both the 18th and 19th century. Flamenco is even closely associated with famous 20th century Spanish composers and performers.

4) What is Flamenco exactly?

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-09 20:42:46 UTC

Flamenco is an art of Self Expression! It is an art based on dancing your feelings out such as passions and anger to the rhythm of a song.

Flamenco has 50 different styles, depending on the mood of a dancer or the music the dancing can be different. It may be a dance based on self expression and emotion, but Flamenco dancing must follow the traditional movements.

Like many other dances Flamenco is meant to translate a songs words through body language, for example a dancer would stand in the middle of a dance floor listening to the music, feeling the rhythm then when the muse strikes, the dancer fly's into a dance filled with passion.

This is Andalucia!

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-09 20:55:19 UTC

Andalucia is at the very bottom of Spain.

Spain

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-09 20:59:59 UTC

It is a bit blurry, I present this image so you may get a better image of where Andulcia is in Spain.

Works Cited Page

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-09 21:03:49 UTC

Freeman, Susan Tax. “Spain.” Countries and Their Cultures. Ed. Carol R. Ember and Melvin Ember. New York: Macmillian Reference USA, 2001. World History in Context. Web. 28 October 2015.

n.p. “Flamenco Dance.” enforex.com. Enforex, n.d. Web. 27 October 2015.

n.p. “Flamenco - History.” andalucia.com. Andalucia, n.d. Web. 27 October 2015.

What is the Inquisition?

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-10 20:09:02 UTC

You may be wondering who is the Inquisition and why did they persecute the Jews, Moorish, and gypsies. Well the Spanish Inquisition is one of the most infamous Inquisitions known through history. Formerly established in 1478, the purpose of the Inquisition was to root out false Christians especially the Jews and Moors who pretended to convert to Christianity due to political or social advantages. The Jews and Moors practiced their real religion in secrecy.

History of the Inquisition and Spain's persecution against non-christians

iviramontes496 — 2015-12-10 20:24:02 UTC

Even before the Inquisition, Jews and Moors were persecuted. In 1391over 50,000 Jews were killed by mobs. In 1492, during the Inquisitions rein over Spain; the Jews were given the option to convert to Christanisty or to be exiled. An estimate of 50,000 Jews converted and 100,000-200,000 left Spain. The Moors suffered the same exact fate as the Jews, an estimate of 3,000,000 left Spain. Those who practiced their religion in secrecy suffered the wrath of the Spanish Inquisition.