Merengue - A Vivid Kaleidoscope

Merengue - A Vivid Kaleidoscope

Latin Dance has evolved into a vivid kaleidoscope of many different cultures dancing to the beat of a single drum. These types of music which find their origin in African influence have developed into a meshwork of individual sounds and have grown to be identified with a particular culture. An example of such can be seen in the evolution and history of one of these, Merengue. This type of dance is native to the Caribbean

, however, it has developed and taken its precedence in the Dominican Republic. This Caribbean

nation has been crucial to the spread of this music on an international level.

Even though the Dominican Republic has been considered the original country of origin for Merengue history shows otherwise. In Puerto Rico, visiting Cuban marching bands introduced this new way of music in 1842 known as Upa. This new type of music had African influence and introduced a completely new way of dancing. It was considered forbidden and was completely eliminated from the island. Colombia and Venezuela also had similar sounds and music that were danced around the coastal cities thus showing this music has various external derivatives. This new type of dancing which appeared to have a fusion between African and European roots and a result of colonization, and its custom of moving and swaying ones hips and the placement of hands in its distinctive manner.

The Domincan Republic has without a doubt been considered the home of the Merengue. In an effort to promote nationalism specific to the culture, the Domincan people attempted to promote this new way of dance and this new sound. In the 19th Century, Merengue was being introduced in saloons and ballrooms everywhere on the island. However, this new music found its opposition among Europeans at the time. The custom style of dancing at this time was the Tumba, a cultural dance of the time which was danced in groups. The Merengue was embraced and accepted by the Dominican people and evolved within the country according to region. An example of this is the region of the Dominican Republic known as "El Cibao" has taken its influence from merengue and specified it to a particular sound and style influenced by that region a style which has been come to be known as "Perico Ripiao". This dance eventually came to be revered by many as a sound relative to the Dominican Republic, it showed nationalism and was used to unify Dominicans.

This type of dance has not only developed and evolved differently according to country, but also to the different regions and individuals. Its spread to other countries has coincided with the emigration