The Spanish dance was one of the finest dances done before or today along with Ballet and all the Contemporary dances. This Spanish dance documentation goes way back to the Hellenic period (550 B.C.). The Spanish Jaleo (also called Chufla) was usually danced impromptu by a supple, agile gypsy with castanets, to a guitar accompaniment and the haunting notes of an ancient love song. The Jaleo was always danced by a woman and was the veritable expression of the Spanish Gypsy soul. The female dancer bounds, darted, swayed, wheels and invites. In El Jaleo was passion and ecstasy. In Flamenco the Jaleo denotes encouragement of the dancers and singers along with hand-clapping, shouts of "Ole" as well as various other enthusiastic expressions of approval.
The Gypsy whirling dance called the Jaleo de Xeres (Jeres) and the Olé were somewhat similar to the Fandango, their charm consisting in their rapid combination of gestures and motions, and were said to be in high favor among the Andalusians. The former is not infrequently introduced in American stage ballets. The Jaleo de Xeres (Jerez) was usually danced impromptu by an agile gypsy with castanets, accompanied by a guitar and the haunting notes of an ancient love song. Danced exclusively by women, the Jaleo was the veritable expression of the Spanish gypsy soul. The Dance called the Merengue has its roots in the "Jaleo."
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