Even though this dance form is a fusion dance, it is important to keep to the definition of the dance. We must keep the dance in the ring it was meant to be in or it should be named something else. Duende can be found in other dance forms and in other art forms as well, but for the context of this article we are only talking about gothic belly dance. For me, duende is an integral part of the dance. If you are missing duende you are missing a key part of the dance.

So what exactly is duende? Unfortunately trying to give a definition is a lot like trying to explain what a gust of wind feels like to someone who has never felt anything. It really is something you have to experience for yourself to fully understand. Still, that doesn’t mean that many people haven’t tried to explain it before, and it doesn’t mean I won’t try to explain it now. Wikipedia, an online dictionary service, defines duende as the following:

“The duende is a rarely explained concept in Spanish art, particularly flamenco, having to do with emotion, expression and authenticity. In Spanish, the primary definition of duende refers to a fairy or goblin-like mythological character. While its nature varies throughout Spain and Latin America, in many cases its closest equivalent known to the Anglophone world is the Irish leprechaun. From this original meaning, the artistic and especially musical term was derived.”

It is interesting to note that even though this concept is often associated with dance, it was first used as a metaphor for artist expression by the poet Lorca. He often associated duende with a deep fascination with death, and the spirit of earth. Other words found to describe duende include: motion, fire, surge, rhythm, emotion, spirit, and momentum.

A very simple and one of the more accurate definitions of duende came from Manuel Torres’ famous quote (that has been translated from Spanish), “Whatever has dark sounds has duende.” In a way, it is a celebration of all things that have touched the darkness. The concept of duende isn’t really a concept at all, but a struggle with the darker side of art.

Notice that we aren’t talking about the art itself; we are talking about the inspiration of the art. Duende is the power behind the art, and the unexplainable magnetism an artist possesses. Have you ever noticed that sometimes you can look at a photograph of a dancer, and although you hadn’t seen the performance from which the picture was taken, you can’t help but think that the dancer must have been wonderful? What was it that made you think that? Was it simply the way the dancer looked, or was it the emotions the dancer was conveying? For me it is unquestionably emotions. Emotions that are so strong they can still be felt surging through something as simple as a photograph. Or, have you ever noticed that sometimes when you’re watching a group, one dancer just sticks out more than the others? When a dancer is dancing with the duende their performance level simply cannot be reached. Everyone in the room can feel that there is something special going on, but might not be able to place just what it is. It has been said that there is no true emotion without duende. Many people try to create these emotions, and can sometimes pass their false emotions off as real. But as in any other circumstance it only takes a keen eye to weed out the fakers.

I want to take a second to note that it is very possible to dance, and dance very well, in the absence of duende; many would find duende an inappropriate element even. With duende the dance cannot be lighthearted, it can’t be amusing, and it can’t be playful. For many, those limitations cannot be met, which is on its own acceptable. Think for a second about the emotions that we find behind dancing, even bellydance (and all its forms) can’t we be fun, playful, or a range of other emotions? Absolutely, but these typically aren’t the emotions gothic belly dancers are trying to achieve from the dance.

As was briefly mentioned before, the concept of duende originates from Spain. So what does something Spanish have to do with Middle Eastern dance? Even the poet Lorca himself has talked about the connection duende can have with the Middle East, “In all Arabian music, in the dances, songs, elegies of Arabia, the coming of the Duende is greeted by fervent outcries of Allah! Allah! – God! God!, so close to the Olé! Olé! of our bull rings that who is to say they are not actually the same?” Another concept that ties duende to the Middle East (and Spanish dancing with other forms of Oriental dancing) is the use of dance as a form of religious and self expression. It may not be surprising to find this concept was first explored in a country that embraces death as a part of life (rather then denying it and keeping it away from the rest of life like so many other cultures try to do), but that doesn’t mean it derives solely from this culture or its forms of art.

The creation of all art contains a mixture of courage, creation, sacrifice, and struggling. The duende does its magic when those emotions burst forth from the subconscious and make themselves known not only to the artists, but to those who observe the art as well. Tying this concept into your performances can bring out new emotions that will move you, your fellow dancers, and your audience.

Alexial

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