Zambra

The Zambra (also known as " Zambra mora ") is a dance that belongs to the subgenus of the Moorish flamenco music and became known in the Spanish region of Granada.

The name probably derives from the Arabic word ZAMRA (flute) or Zamara (musician ). In the Spanish literature of dance in the 17th century is mentioned. It is assumed that the Zambra dance comes from the development of the old dances of the Moors and in communication with the Spanish Muslims who were forced in 1502 to Catholicism. The original Zambra dance form is composed by the Alboreá, Cachucha and the Mosca version that symbolize the various stages in a Roma wedding.

The Zambra has some similarities with the belly dance. Zambra was some years banned in Spain as sinful dance because it did not accord with the Catholic Church and was considered the " most seductive and voluptuous dance " next to the Fandango. The Zambra was very popular in the 1950s and 1960s and was barefoot dancing with castanets in the fingers, under the breast knotted blouse and long skirt with plenty of wrinkles, which appears to float in the air.

The Zambra but again today mainly performed in the territory of Granada in typical Roma weddings and tourist events. Well-known dancers of the modern era were Carmen Amaya and Pilar Lopez. The songs are listed with the Zambra vocals, guitar accompaniment, tambourine and castanets of the dancers.