Do people from southern Spain and the Mediterranean coast of Spain have a lot of

Question:Because a lot of the music from singers from Spain sound similar to Arabic. Like Flamenco. David Bisbal's music sounds Arabic a little bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRhGwRG0Y...

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Because a lot of the music from singers from Spain sound similar to Arabic. Like Flamenco. David Bisbal's music sounds Arabic a little bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRhGwRG0Y...

Yes, because of the Moors who conqured Spain in the medevil ages. It is believed that the people of the mediterranean share more arab and african ancestry than the people of the nordic countries and those in easter europe.

For example Majority of Italians, Spanish, Portuguese and Greek are dark haired, dark complexioned with brown eyes and passionate. These countries border the entire of North Africa who have inhabitants that are Dark Haired, dark-skinned with brown eyes.

A number of the Moors were African from North Africa and also from areas that are located in modern day Nigeria, Ghana and Guinea Bissau.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moors

I would think some of they do.

no is gypsy .

From Greece onwards till Spain and Portugal, huge Arab invasions in the history has indeed made the mix up of culture for food, dress up and living including the arts like music etc! So the bloodstock is also a mix up and can be easily tracked for genetic orientation to Arabic nations across the sea!

It's possible, but probably not much. Their music may sound similar because of their proximity to each other. But I don't really think it is similar, myself. The Arabic music is more flowing and the Spanish is more bold.

The southern part of Spain, Andalucia, was Al-Andalus and under the control of the Moors until the end 15th century. The is a rich cultural mix of Arabic, Christian, and Jewish traditions there (sometimes they coexisted fairly well, other times not), including music. Flamenco certainly has some Arabic influences.

The further north you go along the coast, the less the influence. Barcelona was under Moorish control for 3 or 6 years or something.

Since the Muslims occupied Spain for quite some time (as well as conquering much of Europe), the answer is a clear "yes". This can be verified by history, a genealogy paper trail, and by DNA.

Flamenco came from Arabic music of Arab Spain and the melody influenced the local Spanish and the gypsy tribes there. To say it has SOME influence in Flamenco is wrong, it has ALOT. Many Flamenco artist or guitarist always points the vocal melodies to the Mosque azzan and the guitar melody from the Arabic lute or Ud'

From Phoenician to Arab, these semitic people have been a common presence in the Mediterranean area

There's still alot of Arabic words in Spanish, alot !

Theres still many surnames in Spain and Sicily who bears Arabic origin or Berbers.

Yes, the moors used to inhabit those lands before they were kicked out by the King and Queen.

You can really notice the Arabic influence in the TRUE flamenco music, not like David Bisbal.. thats a little more modern , the way they sing their notes , the dance, the colors, and of course the looks.

btw listen to this Southern Spain flamenco artist..
if you dont know spanish, or knew very little of Spanish history you would probably think it was Arabic.

http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com...

Well, the Moors (a North African tribe) ruled Spain for around 800 years! Spanish architecture was also influenced by Islamic motifs, have you ever seen pictures of Grenada? It is beautiful, and that is where the last Moorish empire thrived.
The reason you hear the similarities bet. Arabic music and Spanish Flamenco is because the original Flamenco came from the Jews and Moors of Spain who made up this dance of stomping because they felt they were being "stomped" by the Spanish monarchs who forced them to convert to Catholicism of be burned at the stake!!! So, the Spaniards can call Flamenco their own, but if you research the roots of the dance you will find a lot of Moorish influence. Spanish history is amazing! Read up on the inquisition. Much of Spain's astronomy, prose, trade, map-making & navigating etc... was due to the Jews and Moors of Spain!

Southern Spain is much more ethnically rich than other parts of the country. The look that Americans tend to associate with Spaniards, dark hair and eyes, is most common in southern Spain. Northern Spaniards are of lighter complexion due to more dominant gothic and celtic genes. In southern Spain you find influence of Arabs, Gypsies, Jews and pretty much everyone else who was able to navigate the Mediterranean as far as Spain.

Yes Spanish music, especially in the south is influenced by Arabic and North African music and especially by Gypsy music. I recently heard a recording on the radio of what was undeniably Arabic music, but the singer was singing in Spanish. It was incredible.

The Arab/Moors controlled the Iberian peninsula for 700 years. They influenced not only the music, but also the architecture, food, and even the language. The guitar is descended from the Arabic lute.