A-Z Blogging Challenge. Today is O. Theme is Flamenco.
O is for Outcasts
No one country has ever opened the door to the gypsies and said, "you are welcome here." Romania and Spain have the largest Gypsy population but they've been run out of every country they touched since they were expelled from India in the 14th century. They are sprinkled throughout the world. Even my dear Grandfather joined in expelling the Gypsies.
Here's the story they told me when I was growing up in South Dakota. It was during the Great Depression when I was still a baby that some wandering Gypsies were camped in my Grandfather's field. They came to the farm house, seeking help as one of their wagons was broken. My Grandfather said he could repair it and Grandma would give them food, if they promised to leave. Grandpa repaired the wagon in his blacksmith shop while Grandma packed food for them. True to their word, they left with gratitude. I had a passion for the Gypsy way of life even then, as I asked my Grandparents to repeat the story over and over. I begged for every teeny detail.
Throughout the years, they've been forced into chain gangs and condemed to Hitler's gas chambers in staggering numbers but the Gypsy spirit always remained unbroken through Flamenco as it developed into magnificent heights.
Carmen Amaya remains the "Best" in my book. Ever. Below a clip from "Los Tarantos."She shows the true Gypsy style.
