Duende

[seaborn]

I have just finished reading a book called "Duende" by Jason Webster and would love to find out more about it the subject as it fascinated me � he describes it as the feeling you get when in the grove with in Flamenco. When I Googled it, it doesn't come out with that much � any ideas where I can learn more?

[gizmo1]

I came across this term when reading about the poet and playwright Lorca. From memory - it is an Andalucian term (the part of Spain famous for flamenco), so may have Arabic origins. Specifically, it is a power that comes up from the earth into the body of the flamenco dancer to give them their 'fire'. It is used in other contexts too - to describe the bullfighter's flair or a poet's spirit. It is difficult to come up with an equivalent in English. It's the flare of a nostril, the pounding of a heart, the stamp of a foot, etc. I love the term and use it way too often. For background I recommend reading books about Granada, Andalucia in general and the excellent 'Assassination of Federico Garcia Lorca" by Ian Gibson.