Latin American Dances originated in Latin America. The different styles of Latin American Dancing are: Samba, Rumba, Jive, Paso Doble, and Cha Cha, which all originated from Europe, excluding Jive, which is created in North America. They are all similar in many ways, and yet very different from one another. The rhythm and tempos are different for each style. All of these styles can be danced in pairs or couples, usually one a man and the other a woman. In the 20th century, Latin American dances were introduced into Western-European society, which created some diverse origins in eras from before. There are many styles in Latin American Dances that are very intriguing and quite different from one another.
During the 1830s, many varieties of dance movements and styles were taken into Samba. Body rolls from the African-Americans, the sways of the indigenous Lundu, and the carnival steps (i.e. the Capacabana) from the society of Rio. Gradually high society members in Rio modified Samba into a closed ballroom dancing position, which was later called, "The Mesemba". (Meaning a graceful Brazilian dance.) Samba was later combined with Maxixe (A Brazilian round dance described as Two Step) and was introduced into the United States in the 20th century. The festive style and mood of the dance made it into a Broadway play called, the "Street Carnival". Samba is danced in street festivals and celebrations. The dance form still has the similar figures but with different rhythms, betraying the origins of the dance. For example, the Boto Fogo (dance piece) is danced to a complex 1 and a 2 quarter beat rhythm, whereas the Natural rolls is danced to the simpler 1_2 and half beat rhythm. The dance still includes a hip movement on the half beats between steps (a.k.a. the "Samba Tic"), a flat carriage of the torso, and is danced with the weight forward onto a bent standing leg. The uniqueness and originality of the flavor of Samba comes from the happiness and energetic past.
