An estimated 90,000 Africans were brought to Spain as slaves between the 16th-18th centuries. While their labor reinforced its economy, African cultures diffused throughout Spanish society, contributing to the development of musical genres such as Flamenco, which are hallmarks of Spanish society. Still, Africa's influence has been gradually disregarded, as the country has worked to reshape its national image; a trend that continues today in response to immigration of the 20th century. Miguel Àngel Rosales challenges the popular narrative be illustrating the ongoing presence of African cultures in Spanish music, dance and folklore, and thus a dialogue between Spain and the Africa that has existed for centuries.
