In a nutshell
Flamenco arrived in Spain in the fifteenth century along with the Romani gypsies, via India, the Middle East and North Africa. It’s a holy trinity of cante (song), palmas (handclaps) and baile (dance) – the latter an instantly recognisable combo of proudly curved backs, expressive arms and fiercely stamping feet. ‘Life is pain’ is the message from the wailing song and visceral dance; it’s a blood-and-guts artform with nothing to clean up afterwards.