Types of Latin Dances

The various types of Latin dances present a snapshot of the culture and spirit of the Latin American world while creating beautiful movements on the dance floor.

Popular Types of Latin Dances

The following forms represent some of the most popular Latin dances.

Salsa

The salsa originated in the Caribbean, although it also has a strong African influence. It is typically danced by couples and centers on a four-beat combination of two quick steps and a slow step with a pause or tap. Partners can then add turns and other flourishes to this basic footwork.

Mambo

The mambo was created in Cuba. Its signature move is a three-beat step moving forward and then backward while shifting weight between feet. One member of a dancing pair performs the backward motion while the other moves forward. What really gives the mambo its style, though, is the hip-swaying action the weight shift creates. Although the mambo is a couples dance, the basic mambo step has appeared in everything from line dancing to aerobics videos.

Merengue

Merengue is an essentially Dominican dance, even being named the official dance of the country. It is generally considered easy to learn. The following basic movement is performed to the front, back, and side in couples dancing – step onto the inside edge of the foot, roll the foot to transfer weight, then drag the other foot to meet the first foot.

Rumba

The rumba has its roots in the Cuban son. It is performed with two quick steps and then a third slower step taking two beats. Dancers use a pattern such as a box to guide their movements. Although the dance was originally performed with quick steps, ballroom rumba dancing has emphasized slow, romantic steps with a focus on hip movements.

Cha Cha Cha

The cha cha cha, also called the cha cha, is another Cuban-born dance, similar to the mambo in style. However, after the basic movement of stepping forward or backward and shifting weight between feet, the cha cha cha adds a quick set of three steps to the side. This gives the dance its name, as many dancers will count out these steps as "cha cha cha".

Bachata

The bachata is another dance from the Dominican Republic. Dancers move side to side in a four-beat pattern – three steps to the side and a pause. This pause forms the essence of the bachata as dancers incorporate pronounced hip movements. Overall, the dance is much more about moving the body with style than the simple back and forth steps.

Samba

Samba is Brazilian in origin and danced to music of the same name. The samba may be danced individually or with a partner. Dancers move forward and backward, shifting weight between feet. It is a fast-paced dance, with three steps for every two beats, although the overall speed varies according to the music.

DanceSport Latin Dances

The International DanceSport Federation, a group hosting and regulating dance competitions, classifies the following dances as types of Latin dances:

• Samba
• Rumba
• Cha Cha
• Paso Doble
• Jive

Despite being included under the umbrella term of "Latin dance," the Paso Doble actually originates in Spain rather than Latin America, and the Jive was created in the U.S.

Online Resources

The following sites provide more information about the dances mentioned in this article:

• The Dance Store Online provides some helpful tips for salsa dancing.
• The Streetswing Dance History Archives give an overview of the rumba's background and steps.
• Clave Rhythmz explains the history of the bachata.
• The U.K.-based Salsa & Merengue Society hosts an online merengue tutorial.
• StreetDance Australia offers a basic guide to mambo with information on timing and steps.

Many of these resources also offer additional information on a host of other Latin dances.

Whether you're interested in these dances as a spectator, a participant, or a student of Latin cultures, the salsa, samba, merengue, and more invite you to an enticing world of rhythm.

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• Salsa Dance History
• Samba Dance History
• Latin Dance for Children