Spanish Word for Dance

The Spanish word "Bailar" means Dance in English.

Dance is of great significance to Spanish culture, especially Flamenco. Flamenco is a genuine Spanish art form, or to be more precise, a genuine Southern Spanish art. There are three forms of Flamenco: el cante (the song), el baile (the dance), and la guitarra (the guitar playing). Gypsies are very often credited with the "invention" of flamenco, and it is certain that they played an important role in the creation of this magnificent dance. However, the popular songs and dances of Andalusia also had a key influence on early Flamenco.

First of all there were the legendary Tartessos, followed by the nine centuries of Muslim history in the Iberian Peninsula. Both left an impression on Andalusian culture, and influenced flamenco, both directly and indirectly. The earliest mention of flamenco in literature is in Las Cartas Marruecas of Cadalso in 1774.

During the golden age of flamenco between the years 1869 and 1910, it developed into its classic form in the epoch's numerous music cafés (cafés cantantes). Flamenco's most intense form which is called "cante jondo", expresses deep feelings and is dated from this period. It was in such cafés cantantes that the art of flamenco grew to new heights when the dancers became the main attraction.