Finding and Buying  a Flamenco Fan

The fan has many different uses. It is used as a symbol of elegance and to refresh us when we feel hot. During many years the fan served to transmit feelings and hidden pasions. 
In flamenco dance it is traditionally used in the Guajiras, a beautiful and sensual flamenco palo de “ida y Vuelta”

Buying Fans for Flamenco Dance

Size Considerations

Flamenco fans for dance are used primarily in two sizes: standard (approximately 9 inches when closed, like the Amazon one) and “Pericón” (large folding wooden fan, around 13 inches when closed and 24 inches when open). 

Traditionally, the “abanico pericon” was used for flamenco dance, but both sizes work well. For our fan workshops or Guajiras choreographies both work. How to choose? You could consider your height – a smaller fan for petite individuals and a pericón for taller dancers and your skill level and desire to master the fan – larger fans are harder to move and will require more strength and practise than smaller ones.

Components of a Fan

  • País (Textile): The fabric used for the fan.
  • Varillas (Ribs): Wooden elements that can be painted or fretworked.
  • Caberas: The first and last ribs, typically thicker than the others.
  • Calado (Fretwork): Holes made in the ribs, not recommended for dance.
  • Abanico (Fan): The assembly or named elements of the fan.
Dancer from aria Osende Flamenco Company performing a guajira
Dancer from aria Osende Flamenco Company performing a Guajira. From left to right: Francesca Nardi, Michelle Raiche-Marsden, Colleen Power photo ©Michelle Doucette

Buying your Fan Online

I-need-a-fan-now!

If your Guajiras dance course is starting and you need something quick, Amazon.ca has a basic ones around CAD $15 with prime shipping. Although the fan on the right is the  correct one (shorter frame, more textile) this will do the job to get you started. Here is the link

 

Flamenco Dance Fans

The shape below (over 1/2 of the fan is textile) the other 1/2 is the ribs is what is traditionally used in flamenco dance. The one below is jsut CAD$9  but you will need to add shipping. This is because when you order tin Spain to ship to Canada, you don’t pay the  European HST (20%), however other fees and shipping will apply.

Prices range from 6-20 Euros ($9-$30 Canadian), offering different qualities and colors. This portal provides various choices, but remember to explore other sources as well.

IMPORTANT: They can break  easily! If possible order two and consider sharing the shipping  costs with other students ordering fans.

 To view the  “Flamenco Dance Fans” section on Flamenco Export, you can view here

 

Typically the fan is used to dance “Guajiras”. Learn more about this sensual and flirtatious flamenco  palo on my “guajira” blog below

Guajiras

The Guajira 

Palos Flamencos Series: Your Guide To Learning Flamenco Dance

The Guajira is a flamenco style that emerged from the fusion of Spanish and Central American cultures, resulting in a mix with a cadent melody, a slow rhythm, and a joyful and sensual, seductive character. In flamenco, it belongs to the  “cantes de ida y vuelta”. 

The term “ida y vuelta” is used due to the belief that these styles reached America through Spanish emigrants. They transformed there, and upon the return of these emigrants to their roots, the palos took shape, adopting the forms known in Spain. Besides the Guajira, other “ida y vuelta” palos that originate from Hispanic-American folk music are milonga, rumba, vidalita, and colombiana. 

The Guajira follows a 12-beat compas (rhythm), akin to that of the alegría, with a similar pace. Dancers often wear light colors such as off-white and pastels and lace, reminiscent of Central America costumes.

The dance is traditionally accompanied by a fan, introducing a sensual element that is irresistibly charming. This requires a special technique, which includes learning how to open, close and move the fan while dancing.

The dance, with its music and melody, combined with the fan and light attire, creates a visually appealing spectacle as dancers rhythmically tap their feet, seemingly effortlessly. Unlike many flamenco palos, whihc involve strong emotions, the Guajiras is pleasant, flirtatious, sensual and sweet in its manner, reflecting the sweetness, beauty and easy of the tropical island.

As with other flamenco palos, traditionally the Guajiras are danced as a solo, however it can be choreographed as a group dance. Below is an except of a Guajira I choreographed for my company dancers. On the video you will see they start with 2 fans and then they move on to one. 

Characteristics of the Guajira:

The Guajira’s melody is sweet, reminiscent of a lullaby, and its lyrics often speak of Cuba, especially Havana.  The lyrics often vividly depict the singer’s everyday life, offering a glimpse into a disappearing, nostalgic and yet suggestive past filled with references to sugarcane, tobacco, and the captivating beauty of the island an exotic and tropical setting, with mestizo Havana providing a captivating back dropportraying a rhythmic and melodic expression

Play Video about Dancer from aria Osende Flamenco Company performing a guajira

Guajiras from SUBLIME by Maria Osende Flamenco Co.

Dancers from left to right: Francesca Nardi, Michelle Raiche-Marsden, Colleen Power
Guitar: Jose Vega
VOCALS: Enrique “el Henry” Rojo
Percussion: Ian MacMillan
Choreography: Maria Osende

Play Video about Maria Osende Guajira ©Roselyne Rheaume
Find out more about flamenco  fans on my Guide to Buying your First Fan.

The Fiesta Continues: Explore Flamenco Articles and Features

Maria

LA LLAMADA

What is a Llamada -The Flamenco Dance Student Guide

In flamenco “Llamada” means “cue” and it is a crucial element used by both dancers and guitarists.

Read More »

The Fiesta Continues: Explore Flamenco Articles and Features