Gitanos (part 2)

Historically, gitanos (Spanish Gypsies) have been discriminated against in Spain, as in most European countries.  For a period, they were forbidden to speak their own language (Calo), and so have lost it although they retain many words, some of which have found their way into flamenco.

Santiago church, major landmark of one of Jerez' two traditionally gitano neighborhoods.

Which brings us to flamenco:  gitanos have been the fountainhead of flamenco, and within the gitano community there are "flamenco families" who see it as their responsibility to preserve this art form.  And if you listen to gitanos performing flamenco, you may here one of the group saying "¡que canta gitano!" (how gitano-like you're singing)" or¡que toca gitano!" (how gitano-like you're playing) or "¡que baila gitano!" (how gitano-like you're dancing).

Another view of the church of Santiago.

 This is high praise, and indeed, if you´re very familiar with flamenco, you CAN hear and see a difference between how gitanos and other people perform flamenco.

In Jerez de la Frontera, a city known as the "cradle of flamenco," and one corner of a triangle of cities/towns where flamenco has its strongest roots, up until one generation ago, gitanos lived in one of two districts, both just outside of the old city walls.  One of these districts is called the Santiago district, with the church of Santiago as its most important landmark.

La plazuela in front of the capilla de la Yedra.  A statue of singer la Paquera is visible in front.

The other is called la Plazuela, or San Miguel.  It has two landmarks:  the little plaza in front of a chapel, la capilla de la Yedra, and the other, the church of San Miguel.

The church of San Miguel.

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NOTE:  We are currently filming a documentary about flamenco which stresses the importance of gitanos to that art form - hence, these posts.  Learn more about the documentary on web site www.FlamencotheLandMovie.com.