Spain - Flamenco, Pasodoble, & Fandango Dances
An interactive guide by Natalie Tsutsumi
Basic Facts
Spain, officially known as the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España), is a southwestern European country with a population of 47.4 million (as of Jan. 2020.) Madrid is both the country's capital and most populated city, with a combined total of 6.5 million residents including surrounding areas. Spain has experienced large population growth within the past 5 years from mass immigration, mostly from Venezuela, Colombia, Ukraine, and Argentina.
Spanish, referred to as Castilian (castellano) within Spain, is the country's overall official language. Other co-official languages in different regions include Catalan, Basque, Galician, and Aranese. Historically, Catholicm was the official religion of Spain until its constitution abolished it in 1978. Although Spain is still majority Catholic, (nearly 70%) a growing part of the country is shifting to becoming irreligious.
Dance Types
Spain has an rich variety of traditional dances. Over 200 are recognized - from the community-based circle dance sevillana to the Celtic-influenced muiñera.For this presentation, I've selected three dances I've found not only interesting and culturally impactful, but also to be great examples of the diversity within Spanish dance.
Flamenco
Flamenco, one of the most well-known dance forms across the world, dates back to the 18th century. Although its exact origins are unclear, its traditions derive from the southern Spanish regions Andalusia and Murcia. It has also been heavily influenced by the Romani ethnic group, known as gitanos in Spain.
Flamenco consists of three main components: singing (cante), guitar playing (guitarra), and dancing (baile). Styling & accessories are also an essential part of flamenco. Female dancers usually wear extravagent, flowy skirts (faldas) and carry castanets (castañuelas) as well as large fans (pericones).
Although flamenco first started as a community-spread tradition, it has expanded into professional academies. After first being recorded in 1774, flamenco has spread across the globe- especially within the past century. Many countries have developed their own interpretations of flamenco. Japan has become known as the "second homeland of flamenco" due to the influence Japanese flamenco dancers and dance companies have had on the dance.
Pasodoble
Pasodoble consists of several different types of sharp, binary rhythm based dances. These types include military marches, bullfighting coordination, and partner dances. Its origins are also disputed, but its rhythm basis can be traced back to 16th century Spanish and Romani traditions.
Pasodoble is most commonly danced today in its partner dance form. It has received international attention from it often being covered in dance competitions and shows, such as Dancing with the Stars.
Fandango
Fandango, a traditional couples' dance, has roots in both Portugal and Spain. It peaked in popularity among European aristocracy around the 18th century. Today, many new generations across Latin America- especially Mexico- are revitalizing this dance and adding their own interpretation to it. Dancers wear similar costumes to flamenco dancers, often adding their own cultural signatures to it as well. It's currently danced with a 3/4 meter.
