How to explain the flamenco experience? It is profoundly
individual, based on emotion and sensation. And its history is
as deep and mysterious as the music, dance and passions that
define it. Flamenco had its beginnings in the 8th to the 15th
centuries, when Spain was under Arab dominion — a time when
music was impacted by Jewish and Moorish traditions. In the 15th
century, a new influence was introduced by Nomad Romani, known
as Romas, or, in general parlance, Gitanos (gypsies). They trace
their roots to Northern India and roamed widely in Europe and
Northern Africa. A large number of Gitanos settled in the
Andalusia region in southern Spain, where virtually all
historians agree that flamenco began. In fact, there are
references to the music as being “the gypsy blues.” Even today,
flamenco remains an art form “of the people” and, although there
are scores of schools and courses offered, many of the most
popular artists — dancers, singers and guitarists — are self-
taught. It is not unusual to see young musici