Latin Dance Sport: Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive
Latin Dances: Origins and Evolution
Latin dances have been practiced in Europe since the early twentieth century, although their origins can be traced back to the late nineteenth century, when musical styles from Spain, Portugal, Africa, and Indigenous America began to blend and mix.
Of all the existing Latin dances, only five have been included in DanceSport. They are: Samba, Cha-Cha-Cha, Rumba, Paso Doble, and Jive. Below, we introduce each dance:
Samba
Originally discovered in Africa but developed in Brazil, Samba is a quintessential South American dance. Deeply integrated into Brazilian culture, this dance is the symbol of the Carnival celebration in Rio. Its name comes from the word “Sembat,” which means “navel.”
The music arises from the Samba percussion music played by African slaves in Brazil. The hypnotic effect of these rhythms was the origin of Samba dancing.
Samba did not reach Europe until the early twentieth century. However, it wasn’t until the late 1930s and early 1940s that Samba became popular, thanks to its appearance in Hollywood movies.
Following this boom, the slowly evolving international Samba took shape and was standardized for Latin DanceSport competitions. Although the Samba danced in Rio is unique, it has little to do with the international partner Samba. Samba is danced to a fast tempo of 2/4 (sometimes 4/4), with 50 to 60 beats per minute (BPM).
Cha-Cha-Cha
To find the origins of the Cha-Cha-Cha, we must look at the music that generated this style. In 1948, Enrique Jorrín re-orchestrated a popular Mexican song by mixing two Cuban rhythms: “Danzón” and “Montuno.”
This song was recorded and broadcast five years later under the title “Engancha” and was a great success. This song had a special feature that the dancers appreciated almost instantly: the bongo played three close strokes together. These beats were the origin of the Cha-Cha-Cha dance, and they were the origin of its name: Cha-Cha-Cha, representing the three beats in the rhythm.
The Cha-Cha-Cha and Rumba have influenced the Mambo (a very popular dance at the time). This dance spread quickly in the Americas and to Europe around 1954, along with its music.
The Cha-Cha-Cha is danced to a slower tempo in 4/4 time, with 32 to 34 BPM. Artists like Perez Prado, Tito Puente, and Harry Belafonte helped spread the Cha-Cha-Cha worldwide.
Rumba
Many consider the Rumba to be the dance of love. The slow movements of the dancers give this dance a particular sensuality that leaves no one indifferent.
Rumba has its roots in Cuban popular dances, mainly the “Habanera” and “Guajira.” Its name comes from the word “Rumba,” which traditionally means Cuban dance.
The first known version of Rumba arose in 1920 under the name “Rumba-Bolero.” It was a slow Rumba in which the dancers danced very close to each other, similar to the modern Slow known today.
But the Rumba we know today appeared in the 1940s, developed in the United States and England. In this version, the dancers are more spaced, allowing for dynamic phases interspersed with languid gestures. The final establishment of the Rumba style occurred in 1947 in Milan, during an international conference of dance teachers.