Part of what fascinates me about this (I can't look away), apart from its sheer excellence, is that she is also the principal source and leader of the music. It's more like shamanism than dancing. This woman generates stupefying power.
It's possible that what appeals to me most about every dance that appeals to me is the shamanistic aspect - the trance, the flow. Everything from the Haka to the tango. When they don't have this, I don't really care about them.
Thanks to Andreas for sending me the link and pointing out the "stop now" flick of the hand at 00:45. The YouTube comments (in Spanish) inform us that she died a few months later; and also that she was a pioneer, and broke with the concept of flamenco-light for women. I have no idea whether any of that is true.
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Another digression, and return, via Flamenco
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12 comments:
"Trance" means different things to different people. What I dislike about the second trilogy of Star Wars is the Jedi Trance state is portrayed as being more icy and detached rather than either mellow and calm, or in the flow. Then there's the hot and furious bezerkergang. And the one I think suits you, the earthy duende.
You're right, Ms H - she's extraordinary. Although I confess this doesn't compel me the way a haka does.
For those (lucky enough?) to miss all the rugby hype currently emanating from this corner of the world, here's a link to the mesmerising haka performed at the World Cup opening ceremony last week http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZ9Rs_2EiRg
I'm curious how Ghost would rate it.
@Plain Jane,
For personal reasons, the haka shown there doesn't work for me. I feel about it the way MsH feels about Show tango.
Which in itself is not a fair criticism - I fully accept that the haka is far more than a war dance. But to me, the experience of seeing (or being in) a group of guys yelling "Come on then if you think you're hard enough!" and meaning it is in a different place altogether.
Also in fairness, many people do like Show Tango.
Jane's comment linkified: Opening Haka. The women look wonderful, don't they? Are hakas a verse form that's always composed to be performed as a dance? Or is there a concert version as well, just as declaimed poetry? (I'm not sure if that distinction even makes sense in context). And I am wondering if group choreography is traditional or is a recent addition to the form?
@Ghost - I think, though, that a lot of hakas are not "come and have a go if you think you're hard enough" (although of course that does make some sense in an actual rugby match, hence their popularity with players and crowd). As far as I know, Ka Mate Ka Mate which the All Blacks used to use is not really directed at the 'enemy' at all, it's more of a unifying and sustaining poem for the team performing it. Which is also the case with a lot of European war songs, of course.
... and checking the video I see that they are using Ka Mate Ka Mate this year too - they switched to another one for a while which I didn't like as much.
@MsH
I believe you are correct in this. But for me the association, rightly or not, is there, which unfortunately prevents me from seeing this the same way that Plain Jane does and so I can't really answer her question.
I was just trying to explain why I couldn't answer her question.
I certainly have a great deal of sympathy for any team facing the All Blacks!
If we are talking Hakas of note: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13fGHSqHTwA
Interesting discussion. Yes, whatever else the haka is, it is a display of male power, and therefore not hard to take intellectual issue with. But although I'm not a rugby fan, I often watch the haka before a match for the pleasure of the thrill down my spine. A thrill that couldn't in a million years be delivered by "God Defend New Zealand". It completely bypasses my brain.
You are looking at CARMEN AMAYA, the greatest of all female flamenco dancers!!!She is dancing a bulería from the movie Los Tarantos (1953).
Thinking about it, I'd quite like to see the various UK teams respond to the All Black's Haka with their versions of "Come on then if you think you're hard enough!"
Or even better - all their fans stand up en masse and join in!
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