The air in La Mina, a vibrant neighborhood in Sant Adrià de Besòs, was thick with the aroma of simmering potaje and the soulful strains of flamenco this past weekend. A celebration steeped in history and communal spirit, the ‘zambomba’ – a traditional Gypsy Christmas festivity – was brought back to life, drawing hundreds of residents to the streets for an evening of shared joy and cultural pride. This revival, say those who champion Gypsy culture, harks back to an era not seen since the shantytown settlements of Barcelona, a time when communities gathered around bonfires, sharing food and music.
A Return to Roots: The Zambomba’s Historical Echoes
For many, this event was more than just a pre-Christmas gathering; it was a powerful reconnection to a past that predates the modern blocks of La Mina. It evoked memories of the Somorrostro, La Perona, Montjuïc, and Camp de la Bota shantytowns, from which many of La Mina’s families originated. The ‘zambomba,’ a simple yet distinctive way to celebrate Christmas, is a tradition that thrives in the Gypsy communities of southern Spain, but its vibrant presence in Barcelona had faded over the decades.
The festivities unfolded at the foot of the bust of Camarón de la Isla, a symbolic heart of the neighborhood. Here, the typical Gypsy vigil potaje – a hearty stew of chickpeas and cod – was generously shared, accompanied by an outpouring of flamenco music and dance. “It’s something Christmassy and good for the neighborhood,” remarked Basilio Perona, a member of the La Mina Gypsy Cultural Center. “We want to do things so that the neighborhood isn’t only known for negative news, but also for its personality, resilience, and pride.”
Reclaiming Identity: A Celebration Six Centuries in the Making
The cultural center had long envisioned an event of this nature, a popular gathering that would fill the streets with positive energy. Beyond presenting a positive image of the area, the primary objective was to rekindle customs that reinforce identity. “It’s about recovering what was lost 40 or 50 years ago, reclaiming what is inherent to our culture and our people, and giving it visibility,” Perona emphasized. This year’s celebration holds particular significance, coinciding with the 600th anniversary of the arrival of the Gypsy people in the Iberian Peninsula, a history marked by persecution, marginalization, and resilience.
The ‘zambomba,’ in its purest Gypsy form, had disappeared from Barcelona, though its existence is documented in an extraordinary piece of cinema. It was vividly recreated in a scene from ‘Los Tarantos,’ the legendary film starring Carmen Amaya, which was nominated for an Oscar in 1963. “Back then, it was called ‘aguilandos’ here, and in the film, you see Gypsies singing in the street with tambourines, which is what they did,” Perona recalled. “A few young people would go from house to house, asking for a little anise, a pestiño, or whatever they could get. People would join in, continuing the party until a group gathered around a fire.” A remnant of that era, Perona noted, is that “many Gypsies celebrate Christmas on December 23rd,” an early Nochebuena.
A Community United: Music, Food, and the Spirit of La Mina
To invoke the spirit of this festive Christmas tradition, a diverse lineup of flamenco artists from various Catalan tablaos graced La Mina with their presence. Their participation was made possible with the collaboration of organizations like Taller de Músics, currently celebrating its 45th anniversary. In a gesture of profound respect for the ancestral veneration of elders in the Gypsy world, ‘tío Ángel,’ one of the community’s oldest members, was asked to bless the traditional potaje.
“Many people danced and sang in the street,” Perona proudly stated, confident that the event was a resounding success that will not be a fleeting moment. “We want it to have continuity every year,” he affirmed. “Badalona has the largest Christmas tree in Spain, but we have the only popular and street-based Gypsy zambomba in all of Catalonia.” The revival of the zambomba in La Mina is a testament to the enduring spirit and rich cultural heritage of its Gypsy community, a celebration that promises to become a cherished annual tradition, filling the streets of Barcelona with the warmth and joy of flamenco Christmas.
Source: https://www.elperiodico.com/es/barcelona/20251214/navidad-mina-gitanos-tradiciones-flamenco-124764712
