Dancing gives many benefits. ... Merengue specifically originated from African slaves who mimicked the white-upper class dances. ... For example, in the African-derived communities, "ritual dances were mechanisms for survival in the face of oppression, brutality, and racism.... Everybody danced differently, proving that there's no uniform way of dancing to any music. ... Dance is a universal language. ...

• Word Count: 1112
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Puerto Ricos music culture stems from a combination of African percussions and poetry. ... It has heavy musical roots from Cuba and the African-Caribbean. Salsa is Highly danceable, its rhythms are hot and rhythmically sophisticated. ... Mambos dance moves are generally from foward to backward but Salsa has more of a side to side feel. However, Salsa and Mambo are dance and loved everywhere in the Caribbean. ...

• Word Count: 508
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

"The Rumba" The Rumba is a mixture of several different dances in which originated in Cuba and Africa. ... In the early 16th century, slaves imported from Africa to Cuba were dancing a ceremonial dance known as the "son." The native dance is a folk dance. It is danced very quickly and swiftly with vigorous moments from the dancers. ... When dancing the Rumba, you use your hips in a more exaggerated way than you would with any other dance. ...

• Word Count: 665
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

It is one of the most popular in Latin music, especially for dancing. ... After many successful hunts the families would celebrate and dance to Merengue. ... So when talking about dancing it's referring to dancing that can be enjoyed by an audience. ... Most of the Africans came from western coastal region of African and were brought to Cuba on slave ships. ... Further more why there are different ways to dance to them. ...

• Word Count: 893
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

Others talk of its roots in African rhythms, Spanish lyrics, Cuban street bands, Caribbean song and dance styles and Latin American jazz. ... Cuba was the home of diverse styles like son and guajira, and the African rhythms of rumba. ... This kind of Salsa can be fun, especially while dancing - which is what Salsa is all about. ... Salsa is a highly stylized and sophisticated couple dance. ... Salsa became a ballroom dance even thought the authentic salsa is a very spontaneous and intricate music; the dancing is too spicy and lively for monotonous formal routines. ...

• Word Count: 609
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

The economy of Cuba is a largely state-controlled,The island of Cuba located at the crossroads of the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, brought many immigrants by the trade winds from all corners of the earth, who than influenced lives on the country's visual arts,architecture, literature, dance, music,and a passion for sports. ...

• Word Count: 3151
• Approx Pages: 13
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

Santerí or La Regla Lucumí originates in West Africa in what is now Nigeria and Benin. ... Unbeknownst to them, she would actually be praying to Shango, the Lord of Lightning, fire and the dance, perhaps even praying for deliverance from that very slave owner. ...

• Word Count: 559
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

Many of his works used native dances and language. ... He was of mixed African and European descent. ... By the end of his life he was known as the most influential of the Latin-American poets who dealt with African themes....

• Word Count: 601
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

It has been told, "In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue."" Upon his voyages to the New World, he discovered what he called Juana, now known as Cuba. On October 28, 1492, Columbus and his voyagers sighted the island and the next day, October 29, 1492, the Europeans, for the first time in histor...

• Word Count: 1815
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

For most Cubans this lifestyle is embodied in music and dancing and is a way in which to identify themselves and cope with the extreme hardships faced through impoverished living conditions. ... From a website named http://www.salsacrazy.com, the information here seems to be written by an organization of salsa dancers who in turn cited various reference books as their source of information. These authors note that son is the "backbone of contemporary salsa- and were derived in Cuba from numerous African influences, two of which are the use of hand drums and its syncopated rhythms. The style of...

• Word Count: 1218
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

It was always a time to have fun with music, dance and delicious food. ... Castro's intentions were to transform Cuba into a country where absolutely no one danced, sang, or even smiled. ... The Cuban revolution acted as an example to other developing countries During the 70's and 80's he gave active support to revolutionary movements in Latin America as well as Africa. ...

• Word Count: 1660
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School