Flamenco Rituals & UNESCO Recognition

Safeguarding Flamenco's Cultural Heritage:
Experience the Magic of Zambomba de Jerez

As recognized by UNESCO, flamenco is not only a performing art, but it is also a cultural heritage worth safeguarding, as it is enacted beyond the stage during our religious festivals, rituals, ceremonies, and private celebrations.

One of these rituals is our Zambomba de Jerez (our traditional flamenco Christmas celebration). In fact, Jerez de la Frontera in Spain is where Flamenco Christmas originated. I have been safeguarding this tradition since 2004, through research, field work, films, and interviews. It has changed my life in so many wonderful ways!

Last year, for the first time, I offered a fun, interactive, multimedia, online experience about our Zambomba Flamenco Christmas Celebration, with participants from five different countries. 

This year, I am working on a documentary series entitled: ¡Zambomba! Flamenco Christmas Around the Bonfire, to help preserve this cultural treasure once in danger of extinction, which has been revived but faces new challenges.

This is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the heart of Spanish culture and traditions through our Zambomba Flamenco Christmas Celebration in Jerez. It is, indeed, a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the rich heritage of flamenco, our rituals, and our vibrant celebrations that go beyond the stage.

Flamenco's Resonating Significance

In a resounding acknowledgment of its profound cultural significance, the traditional cultural heritage of flamenco has been inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

This prestigious recognition underscores not only the artistic value that flamenco embodies as a performing art, but also its value as a folk art transcending borders and captivating hearts worldwide.

Zambomba de Jerez - Flamenco Christmas: Ritual of Heritage and Celebration

Flamenco is more than a performing art – it's a cultural narrative that weaves together our lives, traditions, and history in southern Spain. This is especially true during our winter solstice ritual of Navidad Flamenca that we call Zambomba in Jerez, the roots of flamenco christmas celebration that is expanding all over the world... 

In Jerez, in December, the air is filled with the vibrant sounds of villancicos flamencos and the streets come alive with neighbors singing and dancing traditional christmas carrols, bulerías and the ancient Romances (ballads) around bonfires. It's a union that weaves together the passions of music, dance, and celebration, creating an atmosphere that's as unforgettable as it is magical.

A Living Thread: Rituals in the Tapestry of Culture

UNESCO's decision to inscribe flamenco on its esteemed list reflects its commitment to preserving and celebrating the intangible heritage that shapes societies. Flamenco's inclusion acknowledges its role in fostering a sense of identity, community, and intergenerational transmission, which is something that we have been defending at Dances of the World Society since 1994.

We acknowledge that flamenco is not only a captivating performing art, it is also a living tradition that bridges the gap between the past, present, and future in our everyday lives. This is why, in 1995, I created the Flamenco Roots Program, to safeguard aspects of flamenco in danger of extinction. This is also why I am producing now the documentary series ¡Zambomba! Flamenco Christmas Around the Bonfire

UNESCO's Embrace: Global Validation of Flamenco as a Ritual

At Dances of the World Society, we celebrate UNESCO's important recognition! It's a testament to the enduring power of dance and music to connect people across cultures and generations. We hope that this recognition will finally bring to the social aspect of flamenco a much deserved respect, which has been lacking for a long time.  

UNESCO Honoring Traditions: Flamenco as a Cultural Heritage

The allure of flamenco lies not only in its captivating rhythms and soul-stirring melodies but also in its profound cultural significance. As we gather around the bonfires during the Zambomba Flamenco Christmas Celebration, we partake in a ritual that's been woven into the fabric of Spanish heritage for generations.

Now, as UNESCO has bestowed its recognition upon flamenco, we witness the harmonious connection between our cherished traditions and the global acknowledgment of their value.

For a long time, in Spain, the social aspect of flamenco has been despised. Many scholars and government officials say that it is not what has made flamenco a great art. They are right: it is not.  Our traditional, social, flamenco dances are simpler and shorter than the intricate theatrical flamenco dances.

Yet, at Dances of the World Society, we've always championed flamenco as a grassroots tradition. It's the wellspring from which the art form emerges, and its cathartic and unifying power has the potential to transform lives when we gather to sing and dance together

Beyond Borders: Rituals as Universal Narratives

Zambomba de Jerez, our traditional flamenco Christmas celebration is a cherished event that infuses the holiday season with the magic of flamenco. It is more than a mere performance. It's a sacred ritual that unites us with the rhythms of our ancestors, as well as with the modern world. 

The echoes of the zambomba drum, the resonance of guitar strings, and the collective voices that rise in harmony become threads that connect us to a shared history and an interconnected present.

Zambomba de Jerez - Flamenco Christmas: Igniting the Flame of Unity

As we engage in the Zambomba rituals each December, we become part of a legacy that extends beyond our individual lives. We embody the very spirit of flamenco – a celebration of life, emotions, and traditions. The UNESCO declaration honors not only the beauty of our rituals beyond the stage, but also their power to forge connections, foster understanding, and transcend geographical boundaries.

Through our documentary series ¡Zambomba! Flamenco Christmas Around the Bonfire we'll celebrate together the timeless connection between our community rituals and the global recognition they rightfully deserve. In our simple social flamenco dances, which everybody can dance, we find not only joy and passion but also a profound sense of unity with humanity's shared cultural tapestry.

***This article is an excerpt from my book ¡Zambomba!
©Puela Lunaris. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to learn more about our 
¡Zambomba! Flamenco Christmas Around the Bonfire
Documentary Series