The Rumba is a mixture of several different dances in which originated in Cuba and Africa. They include the Cuban bolero, the danzon, the guaracha, and the Cuban "son." Though these dances originated around the 16th century and came from ceremonial and religious beginnings they still have a powerful presence on today's ballroom floor. .
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. Most of the movements in this dance are to represent some form of daily life. One example of this would be when the dancers circle around one another they are imitating the courtship of birds and butterflies. With these moves, the female dancer's grace and talent are exhibited. All movements, in some form, symbolize the nature and beauty of the natural world. .
The "son" was a popular dance of middle class in Cuba. It was modified to a slower, less exotic dance known as the rumba before Americans caught on to the fad. The dance migrated to the United States around 1913 with a new name, American Rumba, but did not hold real interest in any dancers until 1929 when it was introduced in New York. .
Emil Coleman was one of the earliest bandleaders to organize Latin American orchestras. He imported rumba musicians as well as some dancers to New York with the hopes of gaining recognition. Though this was before the craze of rumba he did exceptionally well in broadening Americans" knowledge of the music and dance. Another pioneer was Xavier Cugat. He formed an orchestra that did exceptionally well. His orchestra played in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and other hot spots at the time. The orchestra also appeared in movies such as "In Gay Madrid." Cugat was hailed to have the best Latin orchestra of the decade.
Once people started dancing the rumba it quickly grew.
