Cuban folk dance traditions have formed the basis for a large and popular category of contemporary Latin dance choreography. Clear rhythms, fiery music, vivid emotions - all this unites cha-cha-cha, salsa, mambo, tango and many other Latin American motives.
Cuba is an island of freedom, hot sun and passionate temperament! It was only here that incendiary and rhythmic dances, known under the general name "Latino", could appear.
In these dances, one can clearly see the mixing of cultural traditions of the peoples of different continents. The rhythmic beat of African drums is complemented by the melodic sound of the guitar. Music is born that excites blood and makes you dance. Dances of Cuba are well known to everyone:
- cha-cha-cha - inimitable and popular
- danson - a rhythm with a special charisma
- salsa - dance of love
- sleep - incendiary and disturbing
- rumba - awesome and amazing
- mambo - conquered the whole world
- tango - a dance that has become a classic
Even the rhythms of the hot Brazilian carnival are of Cuban origin.
The history of the appearance of rhythms
The roots of the fiery Cuban rhythms are to be found in Africa. Its indigenous inhabitants, brought by slaves to Europe and North America, remained faithful to their culture in a foreign land, preserved traditions and passed them on to future generations.
Latin American music and Cuban folk dance have religious overtones at their core, and the drumming was intended to please the African gods. To this day, there are secret communities on the island that preserve and carefully transmit hundreds of drumbeats that were used in religious rituals.
In the 19th century, the American military came to Cuba, who were very imbued with the culture of national rhythms and introduced all of America to them. Prohibition in the United States also contributed to the spread of rhythmic movements to music in the "Latin" style - Americans came to Cuba in droves, where alcohol was on sale. American radio stations soon began broadcasting Cuban music. And soon the whole world learned and fell in love with the dance rhythms.
Varieties of the "Latino" style
It is difficult to say which dance is a folk Cuban. All Latin American styles intertwined, complemented each other, gave rise to new dance movements. However, despite this, it is customary to consider Cuban: merengue, samba, tumba, mamba, cumbia, bolero, rumba, Cha-Cha-Cha, salsa, tango and bachato. The dances of Cuba are varied, but united by sensuality, passion and clear rhythm.
In the 20th century, Latin American rhythms entered the program of dance tournaments and competitions. It is considered prestigious for the participants to take prizes in these competitions, showing their mastery of a real dancer in emotions and incendiary movements.
