Loading ...Alabín, Alabán: When Arabismo Dances Through Gitano Flamenco
By: Nissrine Bedda / Arab American Contributing Writer
After the colonization of Moors in Iberia of what lasted about 800 years, it’s by no surprise that we see influences of Arab artifacts, architecture, and cultural habits integrated in Spanish culture making the South of Spain, particularly fascinating for tourists, including visiting one of the 8 wonders of the world, The Alhambra, which is known for being “one of the best preserved-palaces in the world”.
Andalusia, a region in the south of Spain, is often described as the soul of the country—radiating a spirit that keeps Spain alive. Its culture is truly one of a kind: vibrant streets echo with the rhythms of flamenco, the strumming of Spanish guitars, and the unmistakable charm of the “andaluciano” way of life. There’s a certain magic that makes you pause and wonder, “What could they be talking about?” The warmth of Andalusia is unmistakable, deeply rooted in a rich and complex history that has shaped its unique identity.
Romani Culture in Andalusia
Following the Moorish colonization in the 8th century, another wave of cultural influence arrived. As noted by Villanovo, a group of people “…originated from the Indian subcontinent, particularly northwest India, with the first Roma leaving northwest India between the ninth and fourteenth century.” By the 14th and 15th centuries, evidence of Roma (Gypsy) communities began appearing across Europe—and notably, in Andalusia. What came out of this? While Romani people are known for being quite nomadic, including traveling light, it’s known that gitanos (Romani people) are what truly influenced the new wave of flamenco which is widely known across Spain.
The Art of Traveling Light as a Nomad
When we think of traveling light, there’s often a subtle guilt that comes with leaving behind the seemingly insignificant things. This feeling becomes even more complex when traveling with children—suddenly, the idea of leaving behind something of cultural significance forces you to reflect on which parts of your heritage are worth carrying forward.
For the Romani people in Spain, the art of storytelling—particularly through oral traditions—has been essential in keeping their culture vibrant for centuries. Flamenco lyrics often stem from these oral stories, conveying powerful messages that resonate deeply with audiences. When these words are paired with the movements of a passionate flamenco dancer, expressing the raw intensity of duende—“a heightened state of emotion, passion, and authenticity, often described as a spark or soul that elevates a performance”—the result is a cultural transmission that’s impossible to pack away, but unforgettable to carry.
Arabs and Romani Community Come Together
With both communities rooted in Andalusia, it seems only natural that their cultures would intertwine Moorish instrumentation and rhythms blending seamlessly with the mystical dance and expressive lyricism of the Romani people. Together, they gave rise to the powerful art form we now know as flamenco.
Over the years, a cultural phenomenon known as arabismo (“Arabism”) has emerged from within flamenco culture in Spain. Many Spanish speakers are already familiar with Arabic influences in their language—common words like almohada (pillow), aceite (oil), almuerzo (lunch), zapato (shoe), and azúcar (sugar) all trace their roots back to Arabic. But within arabismo, we also see how deeply embedded this influence is in flamenco itself. Even the traditional phrases, called jaleos, known to be celebratory expressions are shouted to cheer on performers—like “¡Olé!”, “¡Arsa!”, or the rhythmic chant “Alabín, alabán, alabín-bon-bán”—carry echoes of Arabic origin, highlighting the rich, intertwined heritage behind the art.
Alabín, Alabàn, Alabin-bon-ban
“Alabín, alabán, alabín-bon-bán” (“hip, hip, hurray”) is a phrase used all throughout Spanish culture and Latin America at birthday parties, to praise a person, etc. The common phrase is rooted from Arabic, known for translating to “Alavio means “my God”. Alabao means “dear God”. Alabim, which means “pious God”.
This time of year marks the arrival of Semana Santa (Holy Week), which also signals the beginning of Feria de Abril (“April Fair”)—an annual celebration held in Seville, Spain. During this festive week, people from across the country gather in Seville to honor their town’s patron saints and take part in a traditional partnered dance known as Sevillanas. The dance is performed in four parts, or coplas, each accompanied by lyrical songs. Many of these lyrics reference the Moors and the Gitanos, paying homage to the communities who played a vital role in shaping the art of Sevillanas.
Here is a well-known Sevillana song performed throughout La Feria de Abril. As we can see, one verse mentions:
Vaya un bautizo con arte
What a baptism with art
Muchos barbos en adobo
Many barbel in marinade
Mucho vino y alegría
Much wine and joy
Y allí aprendieron los moro’
And there the Moors learned
El baile por bulería′
The bulería dance
‘Arabismo’ in Gitano Pop/Flamenco Music
There’s a reason why majority of Arabs are obsessed with the famous band known as The Gypsy Kings, a famous flamenco spanish band started by a French, Romani family.
An excerpt from The Gipsy Kings:
“The group has been fronted for 25 years by the two songwriters and producers Nicolas Reyes and Tonino Baliardo. The father of Nicolas, Jose Reyes, formed a celebrated flamenco duo with Manitas de Plata which counted the likes of Miles Davis and Pablo Picasso among its fans. When the pair parted ways, Reyes became even more popular after starting his own band, backed up by his sons and called Los Reyes.
When the senior Reyes passed away in 1979, Nicolas and Tonino began playing together in the Southern French town of Arles. They traveled throughout the country, busking on the streets of Cannes, playing wherever they could—weddings, parties, festivals. Having adopted the perpetual motion of the gypsy lifestyle, they eventually translated “Los Reyes” and changed their name to the Gipsy Kings.”
In Gitano music, especially within the world of flamenco, the distinctive strumming of the Spanish guitar is not just an accompaniment—it’s the heartbeat of the sound. The rhythm is everything. Beyond the rapid, percussive strums, musicians often tap or thump on the body of the guitar, creating a deep, drum-like beat that adds a pulse to the performance. This “strum, strum, boom” pattern is especially common in flamenco gitano, making it easy for audiences to follow the rhythm and join in with claps, cheers, or dance.
Though the patterns may feel repetitive, that’s where the magic lies—there’s a hypnotic energy in the rhythm, inviting people to chime in at any moment. The pauses between strums create dramatic tension, allowing dancers to add unexpected turns or footwork. Gitano flamenco isn’t just music—it’s a communal experience, rooted in joy, spontaneity, and centuries of cultural expression. Nowadays, a keyboard is used to accompany these upbeat Gitano pop songs that have influences of flamenco. This little sound used with the piano is very similar to the keys used in Arabic music.
Here’s a clear example between the two:
Los Gitanos Sonamos Así (“We Romani’s Sound Like This”)
Here, you can get a close look into the way the keyboard is incorporated along with the rhythm that allows chiming in to dance possible at any given moment!
Alabina & Gypsy Kings – Ya Habibi Yalla
All in all, the passion behind flamenco is born from the powerful fusion of two distinct cultures—Gitano and Arab—merging to form the heartbeat of Spanish identity. This union not only fuels the rhythm of everyday life in Spain but also celebrates the richness of its cultural heritage. It is through this blending that arabismo continues to thrive, echoing in every strum, every stomp, and every lyric. Flamenco stands as a living testament to the enduring spirit of both Gitano and Arab traditions, keeping their stories, sounds, and soul alive in the heart of Spain.
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