Flamenco History (1)

Introduction

The development of this musical phenomenon is based on a variety of cultural influences, social tensions and the exlusion of ethnic groups such as gipsies, Jews and Moors in southern Spain. Finding the origins of Flamenco is difficult, since there are only very few written records from past centuries. To investigate its early roots it is necessary to explore the cultural history of Andalusia and the different musical elements in Flamenco which point to its varied origins. Thanks to this blend of different musical origins, Flamenco has become what it is today: fascinating and at the same time eluding detailed analysis. Even flamencologists often disagree and have no choice but to rely on guesswork. Often, the only way to form your own opinion is to decide whether to believe more in the works of one author than in those of another. There is no standard theory about Flamenco, only descriptions of different opinions ...

Antiquity

The Bronze Age cave paintings in Andalusia, such as “La Pileta” near Ronda (25,000 to 30,000 years old), or the “Cultura Almeriense” (ceramic and copper art) from “Los Miralles” near Almería, prove that works of art have been created ...

Middle Ages

After the decline of power of the West-Roman Empire (from about 400 A.D.) the Vandals (an East-Germanic tribe) passed through and looted Spain. However, after a short time they were driven to North Africa by the Visigoths where they established ...

The Moors

In 711 A.D. seven thousand Berbers led by the Arab commander and governor of Tanger, TARIK IBU ZAYAD, crossed the Strait of Gibraltar. The moros were allegedly ...

The Reconquest (Reconquista)

The Reconquest, i.e. the reconquering of Spain from the Moors, and the Conquista, i.e. the conquest of America, began in 1492 and are still celebrated as national events today. The Reconquest began as early ... (read more in: Flamenco Guitar Method by Gerhard Graf-Martinez, Vol 2, lesson 10.)