¡Baila Conmigo! Tour the Seductive World of Latin Dance! Chris Caggiano September 7, 2022 general Dance is universal. A combination of music and perfectly synced movements of the body, dancing is full of drama, emotion, and dedication. Nearly everyone enjoys dancing. Even if they have two left feet, they can still enjoy watching Dancing With the Stars or its English cousin, Strictly Come Dancing. But people don’t always know the history of these captivating dances, their importance to their originating countries, and the ways in which they reflect the rich cultures they emerged from. In understanding Latin dances, people can gain a greater appreciation of the cultural traditions and values of the people who created and still perform these dances. So grab some airline tickets to the Latin destination of your choice and follow us on a terpsichorean tour of Spanish and Hispanic cultures to learn the historical importance of some of the most recognizable dances in the world. Spain – Flamenco, Paso Doble Flamenco Of course, Spanish dance is really the ultimate forbear of all of these wonderful Latin dances. Flamenco has its origins in southern Spain, where it was danced by Romani people known as gitanos. Unlike most dances, Flamenco is generally performed by a single person accompanied by a guitar player. Among the hallmarks of the Flamenco style are the stomping of feet and the clicking of castanets for pronounced, visual movements. Paso Doble is one of the more theatrical Latin dances and features the dancers enacting a bullfight. In this way, the male dancer serves as the matador and the woman his cape. Known for its quick and sharp movements, the Paso Doble is considered highly passionate, making it a mainstay at dance competitions. Argentina – Tango Tango Few countries take their national dance as seriously as the Argentinians do with the Tango. It borders on national obsession. Part of that obsession lies in the highly diverse roots of the dance. While the term was first associated with music and dance performed by the slaves of Buenos Aires in the late 1700s, the Tango quickly became influenced by immigrant communities from places as diverse as England, Eastern Europe, and regions throughout Africa. As time went by, the Tango transformed from a dance typically practiced by the lower classes to one of the most important cultural touchstones of Argentina. Brimming with passion in each step, the Tango has become one of the most recognizable pieces of Argentinian culture. Cuba – Rumba, Conga, Salsa, Cha Cha, Mambo Cuba has given rise to a startling number of iconic dances, many of which are rooted in colonial times. When Spanish colonists began interacting with slaves from Africa, traditions from the two cultures merged into what became known as punto campesino, or peasant dances. Performed in a fast-paced style and filled with intense movements, these dances served as the main influence for the Rumba in the 19th century. Cross-cultural influences remained a key part of Cuban dances throughout the country’s earliest days and continue into modern times. Mambo, for example, has influences from Haiti, while Salsa reflects traditions from Cuban and Puerto Rican dances. As times changed, many Cuban dances changed with them. Cha Cha is considered a modernized version of Mambo, while Conga became popular among dance clubs in the 1920s. Colombia – Cumbia, Bambuco Cumbia Dance styles in Colombia reflect the country’s wide array of cultural traditions, which are often influenced by geographic region. Cumbia, for example, is popular with people along the Caribbean coast. A mix of indigenous and African traditions, Cumbia is usually danced in the form of a courting ritual between a man wearing a white formal suit and a woman wearing a color-splashed dress. Another popular Colombian style, Bambuco, reflects influences from the nation’s mountainous regions in the Andes. Popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Bambuco shares many similarities with a formal European waltz yet allows for briefs moments of tenderness between dancers. You may also enjoy: 5 Unexplained and Mysterious Places to Visit in Latin America Brazil – Samba, Carimbo, Capoeira Capoeira Like most modern Latin dances, the dances of Brazil are rooted in the influences of African, indigenous, and European traditions. The Carimbo is one of the earliest Brazilian dances. Drawing from the African tradition, slaves would dance the Carimbo in a circle. While many dances are an expression of love and romance, some Brazilian dances are also reflections of everyday experiences. The Samba, for example, is meant as a prayer for the blessings of God and was typically performed during festivals. Capoeira is studied both as a dance and a form of martial arts. Capoeira was taught to runaway slaves both to defend themselves from attackers and to escape the grasp of those hired to find them in the harsh wilds of the jungle nation. Whereas once these kicks were meant to be lethal, today, the acrobatic styles and somersaults of capoeira make for a thrilling dance routine. Dominican Republic – Merengue, Bachata Dominican dances reflect the cultural and political atmosphere of the moments of their creation. The Merengue, considered the national dance of the Dominican Republic, traces its origin to colonial times. During this era, slaves created the Merengue after watching traditional minuets performed by their French masters. In an effort to liven up the stiff French dance, slaves added a short skip to the festivity which was usually accompanied by the beat of a drum. The Bachata is also defined by the cultural influences of the era of its creation. The Bachata was first danced in the 1960s during the repressive reign of dictator Rafael Trujillo. Trujillo had an avowed hatred of Bachata and even went so far as to outlaw it because he saw it as a lower form of art. Due to this prohibition, the dance was usually only performed in brothels, further hurting its standing as a reputable form of art. The Bachata has only recently gained the respect of professionals and entered into the repertoire of dancers throughout the world. We bet you’re just aching to get out on the dance floor! If you’re looking for cheap flights in September, why not visit one or more of these countries and experience for yourself the culture, the history, and —most important—the dance. Did we miss your favorite Latin Dance? Let us know in the comments below!
