spanish gypsies / flamenco

history of spanish Gypsies

Spanish gypsies in southern spain created this type of music since their arrival in Andalucia, southern spain in the 15 th century.
It is believed that they came from a region of northern india called sid, they had to abandon these territories due to a series of conflicts and invasions from foreign conquistadors. The tribes fled to Egypt where they stayed until they were expulsed.

Their next destination point was chezoslavakia (spelt wrong I'm sure!) they decided to split into 3 groups due to their large quantity they split to three areas of europe, Russia, Hungary and poland, the balkan countries and Italy, France and Spain.

The sons of the king Sindel changed their names, Sindel became Miguel, Andras became Andres and Pamuel became Manuel.

The first document of the Gypsies being certified entering Spain is in 1447.

It is believed that the word flamenco is derived from the arabic word "felag" for campesino or peasant, and "mengu" fugitivo, fugitive.

The gypsies had their own language Calo, even today many of their words are still used in the spanish language especially in the south. They were forbidden by the catholic kings to speak their language and obliged to find work and fixed abode.

During the 16th century many worked and died in the mines, they lived in caves in the mountains along with hundreds of muslims and jews who fled as refugees from the forced conversion of the government and church .

Gypsy celebrations had to be held in secret, also when they were invited to play for the rich, incorporating in their music the injustice they felt committed against them by the very people they played for and who listened to them without understanding what the words signified.

With time the laws became less rigid and flamenco music became incorporated more and more into spanish culture and the spanish became interested in learning it themselves. They were named "payos" not "gitanos" (gypsies) people who decided to learn flamenco themselves.

to be continued....

torremolinos fair (la feria)

The torremolinos feria is a grand affair, everything you would see in a funfair, but the high-light of the week log event is the processions, beginning in avenida mantiales, near the centre of torremolinos, and winding its way round the calvario, where the locals live, you will see lorries , tractors, all types of vehicles colourfully adorned for the processions, local spanish children dressed in their typical flamenco attire, adults too, the whole scene is a delight to behold, I'm enclosing some pictures so you can get a better idea, the event takes place the week of the 29th september, commemorating the memory of St Michael, San Miguel.

This feria is one of the best in Spain and well worth a visit. Enjoy.