Talking about flamenco art inevitably leads us to talk about the Gypsy people, as the two are intrinsically connected. However, discussing its origin is not an easy task, as the Gypsies have traditionally been a historically non-recording people, making testimonies about their origins difficult to trace.

Modern historiography, to a large extent, has accepted that the Gypsy people originate from India and Pakistan, specifically from the Punjab region. Between the 12th and 13th centuries, they were expelled from this territory for racial reasons and fled westward, traversing all of Asia.

Map of Punjabi region, Ktims, 2006, Wikipedia

During this flight, they reached Egypt, and from there, popular tradition derives their name: Egypt, Egyptians, Gypsies. However, this is a traditional yet incorrect name, as it suggests their origin lies in Egypt, while their true origin is in India.

From Egypt, the Gypsy people took two routes. The first led them to Eastern Europe, passing through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Hungary, from where they traveled across Europe, eventually settling. These groups became known as the Zingari.

“Las caravanas”, Vincent Van Gogh, 1.888.

The second route originated in Egypt and crossed all of North Africa, passing through places such as Libya, Tunisia, and Algeria. Upon reaching Morocco, they crossed into the Iberian Peninsula, where they settled. These groups became known as the Calé, or Spanish Gypsies.

The crossing into the Iberian Peninsula was made via the Strait of Gibraltar, and by the late 15th century, they arrived in Cádiz, the first place where the Gypsies settled in Spain.

“Gitanos en marcha”, Alfred Dehodencq, 1.860.

From Cádiz, they continued their migration in various directions, with Seville being the next territory they reached due to its proximity, between the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

In Seville, they initially remained nomadic, settling near the Guadalquivir River. Later, from the 16th century onwards, they were forced to adopt a sedentary lifestyle, and as a result, they began to live in the Triana district, which at that time was the outskirts and a poor neighborhood of the city.

In Triana, they would live in the traditional "corrales de vecinos" (communal housing), sharing their lives with numerous families. Within the humble and collective environment of these courtyards, the Gypsies would establish flamenco. 

Therefore, when we talk about Seville, we must highlight the Triana neighborhood as the absolute origin and development of this art form.

“Familia gitana española”, Evgraf Sorokin, 1.853.

Initially, the flamenco that developed in Seville from the 16th century was characterized by a focus on lament and sadness, with lyrics centered around human suffering, marginalization, and uprooting. This style became known as Cante Jondo, and within this branch, we can highlight forms (palos) such as Soleá, Fandango, or Toná.

Later, flamenco evolved toward more cheerful songs with a festive focus. These came to be known as Cantes Chicos or Cante No Jondo. Notable styles include Alegría and Bulería, as well as regional songs, among which the Sevillana stands out as a key element in the cultural identity of the city.

“Sevilla. El baile”, Joaquín Sorolla, 1.915.

In addition to singing, flamenco forms a collective expression with dance and guitar playing, which has made it a highly valued art form worldwide. It has also been declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

As a final detail, it is important to note that flamenco did not originate as such in Spain, Andalusia, or Seville. In reality, it is a type of art that the Gypsies carried with them since their expulsion from India between the 12th and 13th centuries. After their flight, they took their art with them, expanding and evolving it by absorbing the influences of all the places they passed through, such as the dances of Western Asia and the musicality and vocal tones of North Africa.

“Baile gitano”, Hermen Anglada Camarasa, c. 1.920.