Each type of Latin American dance is performed in a pair, with a vibrant blur of colors as the dancers spin and passion in every step.
History
Originating from Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean after being colonized by the Spanish and the Portuguese, its culture reflects Indigenous, African, and European influences. For example, the Mexican Folkloric Dance, or the Baile Folklorico Mexicano, was used in religious and societal practice or for celebrating and rituals of a mix of indigenous and Spanish influences. With Spanish colonization, the dances started incorporating Catholic themes.
Types of Latin Dance
So what are the different types of Latin American dance? There are five categories: the Cha-Cha-Cha, the Rumba, the Samba, the Jive, and the Paso Doble.
The Cha-Cha-Cha is a flirtatious and playful dance known for its dazzling energy. It came from another dance, the Mambo, its old traditions from Africa but its dancing was born in Cuba with the Cha-Cha-Cha along with it. It’s traditionally danced to upbeat Latin or Cuban music, but today it’s common to dance it to pop or R&B. It’s focused on leg movements. In the traditional American style of the Cha-Cha-Cha, the hips move through alternating bending and straightening of the knees. In the International Latin style, the leg that holds the weight of the dancer is almost always straight. The free leg will bend for the natural settling of the weighted leg.
The Rumba is a ballroom dance as well as a Latin American dance that became popular in the United States in the 1930s. The music it’s danced to is a combination of American big band and Afro-Cuban rhythm. Also known as the “Dance of Love”, it’s full of swaying hips, a still upper body, and close partner connections. In competitive-style dancing, the Rumba is the slowest of the five Latin dances.
The Samba came from Afro-Brazilian origins. It was first started by African slaves in Brazil and influenced by Brazilian, Angola, and Congo cultures. It may be danced with or without a partner, with syncopated rhythms, bouncing actions, and rolling hip movements. The solo style of the Samba is used as a celebratory dance in street festivals and parties and can be danced alone in a group of other dancers or with a partner in Latin ballroom Samba.
The Jive came from African-American origin and became very popular in swing clubs and jazz dance halls in the United States. Sometimes described as the more energetic version of the jitterbug and compared to the swing. The Jive involves lively and fast-paced moves, lifts, bending, and hip movement. It’s one of the fastest Latin American dances, making it very hard. In 1968, the Jive became accepted as one of the five international Latin dances in competitive ballroom dancing.
The Paso Doble originated in Spain and was heavily influenced by Spanish bullfighting and Flamenco dancing. In both Paso Doble and Flamenco, the dancers stomp their feet in rhythmic patterns. The Paso Doble imitates a bullfight where the lead is the matador, and the follower plays the matador’s cape, the bull, or a Flamenco dancer. In the early 20th century, the Paso Doble gained popularity in France and spread to other parts of Europe, being initially performed in military parades and other public functions. This dance’s movements are sharp and confident, the heads and chests held high. It’s often performed to march-like music, with staccato footwork, sharp poses, and bold movements. Over time, the Paso Doble evolved into a competitive ballroom dance and became one of the International Latin dances.
