Essay on History of Rumba, Merengue and Salsa - 1379 Words

According to Holger Henke in his The West Indian Americans, Jamaican Rex Nettleford was correct when he said, â€Å"’dance was a primary instrument of survival’.† As such a vital part of cultural traditions, dance plays and integral role in the history culture. Three of the most influential styles of dance in the Caribbean are the Rumba, The Merengue, and the Salsa. The word Rumba is defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary as â€Å"a ballroom dance of Haitian and Dominican origin in 2/4 time in which one foot is dragged on every step.† Here, however, Rumba is a collection of percussive rhythms, song and dance that originated in Cuba as a combination of the musical traditions of Africans brought to Cuba as slaves and Spanish colonizers. The term†¦show more content†¦What we know today as Ballroom Rumba is basically son and not based on the authentic folk rumba. The first serious attempt to introduce the rumba to the United States was in 1913 but real interest in Latin music began about 1929. In the late 1920s, Xavier Cugat formed an orchestra that specialized in Latin American music and opened at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles and later played at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. By the end of the decade he was recognized as having the outstanding Latin orchestra of the day. Monsieur Pierre was Londons leading teacher of the Rumba and in 1955 he and his partner, Doris Lavelle, introduced the true Cuban Rumba which was finally established after much argument, as the official recognized version in 1955. During this time, the intellectual movement known as Afrocubanismo, a sort of mass relization of the value of African culture (especially in the Caribbean), gave roots to traditional rumba. When this afrocubanismo movement came along, it helped open the doors to African rooted dancing and ways of expression. Rumba became more accepted among Cubans and was a recognized cultural expression that identified as a part of the Cuban people. It also provided the means at that point of public expression for those without representation in the media, the Afro-Cubans. Today, Rumba is most commonly performed informally and can be broken down into three types:Show MoreRelatedThe History of Dance9217 Words   |  37 Pagesof dance names; Argentine Tango - history of Argentine Tango and Milonga. Argentine Tango History - Milonga and Argentine Tango history by Mike Higgins Ballet History - Into a fantasy world: A history of ballet (offsite: CBC) Breakdance - traces the origins of break dance. Cha Cha - history of cha cha. Clogging - clog dancing or clogging, as it is sometimes known, takes its origins from square dancing. This is not where or how clogging began however. Disco - history of disco dancing. Flamenco and theRead MoreMore Zumba, Less Childhood Obesity1489 Words   |  6 Pagesas an afterschool activity would give the child time to exercise and give the parent time to run errands. While Zumba is a culturally interactive exercise for boys and girls of all ages, obesity in children is also dependent on culture and family history (O’Dea). Western societies believe that being fat is a gluttony and sloth, which reflect sin in a religious aspect. Pakistani and Indian cultures, however, believe that doctors and/or nurses are selfish, inappropriate, and disrespectful when the patientsRead MoreLatin American Music And Latin America Essay1926 Words   |  8 Pagesfestival stages equipped with numerous instruments, the music of Latin America has continued to inspire and empower with its distinctive and expressionistic style. Latin American Music stems from a highly influenced culture, which results in rich history, unique rhythm, and an undeniable passion from its artists. The evolution of Latin American Music can be organized within four time periods: Pre-Columbian Cultures, Early Centuries of Conquest, Formation of National Cultures, and The Modern EraRead MoreMusic in the Caribbean3392 Words   |  14 PagesRican aguinaldo and Jamaican mento to more contemporary music such as salsa and reggae. They are each syntheses of African, European, Indian and Indigenious influences, largely created by African slave descendants, along with contribution from other communities. Some of the styles that gained wide popularity outside of the Caribbean includes reggae, zouk, salsa, bouyon, calypso, soca, reggaeton and punta. The diverse history of Caribbean music begins with tribal music from the Native Americans that