The Meaning of Duende

Duende is a difficult-to-define phrase used in the Spanish arts, including performing arts.

The meaning of duende as in "tener duende" means "having duende", is a rarely explained concept in Spanish art, particularly flamenco, having to do with emotion, expression and authenticity. In fact, "Tener duende" can be losely translated as "having Soul".

García Lorca, in his book "Theory and Play of the Duende " describes duende:

"So, then, the duende is a force not a labour, a struggle not a thought. I heard an old maestro of the guitar say: ‘The duende is not in the throat: the duende surges up, inside, from the soles of the feet.’ Meaning, it’s not a question of skill, but of a style that’s truly alive: meaning, it’s in the veins: meaning, it’s of the most ancient culture of immediate creation.