AMERICAN GYPSY STYLE

 

American Gypsy Style (not to be confused with Romany Gypsy Dances)
The Romany people (Rom) migrated from north India’s province of Rajistan in 1000 AD. Generation after generation, they traveled all over the world with their crafts, music and dance trades, picking up a little of this and that from the cultures they encountered. This dance is reflective of what many call “gypsy style.” However, in America this style of dance is very eclectic.The Turkish Gypsies belly dance topless in the famous Sulukele district of Istanbul (which offends the sensibilities of dancers who are struggling to overcome sexist images of the dance and gain wholesome acceptability).

FUSION OF STYLES

The American version of Gypsy style belly dance fuses many dance flavors together. The Spanish/Moorish influence manifests as “Zambra,” a form of flamenco employed by belly dancers, along with Indian Katak, Turkish Gypsy, folk dance, American spunk, vamp, and imagination. Typical costume characteristics include large, full, colorful skirts, fringe scarves on hips, flowing sleeves and Moorish art accents.

(Article Courtesy of: www.learn-to-belly-dance.com)

GYPSY STYLE

Zambra Mora is a form of flamenco music with Middle Eastern melodies and rhythm, which is sung or played on guitar. Master guitarist Sabicas (1912-1990) is the one who gave its name to this form of flamenco music (from ancient Moors celebration) and made it popular and developed it.

FUSION OF BELLY DANCE AND FLAMENCO

The fusion of belly dance and flamenco that we know today is called Zambra Mora, after the flamenco music developed by Sabicas. Zambra Mora has the same proud posture of flamenco, floreos (isolated wrists rotations), heavy travel steps and some characteristic turns. From Arabic dance, Zambra Mora borrows undulations, shimmies and hip and chest circles.

COSTUMES FOR BELLY DANCE GYPSY STYLE

The costume used for Zambra Mora includes an ample skirt with frills around the edges, which can be manipulated as a cape; a blouse tied under the bust baring the midriff and a hip scarf with or without coins. Also, the dancer can play zills whilst performing Zambra Mora.