Latin dance is a general name, and a term in partner dance competition jargon. It refers to types of ballroom dance and folk dance that originated in Latin America. Social Latin dances (Street Latin) include the popular dance forms like Salsa, Mambo, Merengue, Rumba, Bachata, Bomba and Plena. There are many dances which were popular in the first part of the 20th century, but which are now of only historical interest. The Cuban Danzón is a good example.
When you think about Latin America, you are flooded
with the images of the Carnival, music and dance and the Caribbean beats. Latin
dance draws inspiration mainly from indigenous American, Iberian, and West African influences.
The earliest native root for Latin dance came from the Aztecs, Guarani, Aymara,
Incas and Tehuelches among others. When sixteenth-century seagoing explorers
returned home to Portugal and Spain, they brought along tales of the native
peoples. According to Rachel Hanson, no one knows how long these dance traditions
were established, but they were already being developed and ritualized when
they were observed by the Europeans. This suggests that these Native influences
became the foundation for Latin dancing.
Indigenous dance was down to earth often told
stories of everyday activities such as hunting, agriculture, or astronomy. When
European settlers and conquistadors began to colonize South America in the
early sixteenth century, they reinvented the local dance traditions, but still
preserved the styles of the natives. Catholic settlers merged the native
culture with their own and incorporated catholic saints and stories to the
dance. The Europeans were captivated by the highly structured, large member
dance working together in a precise manner. This attracted them to these dance
forms.
After the Europeans brought home the Aztec/Inca
influences in the sixteenth century, they incorporated their own styles to the
dance. Since the Aztec/Inca dances were performed in a group, many of the
European dances were performed by a male and female. This was a new practice
because European dances prohibited male and female dance partners from touching
each other. The benefits of such a dance style allowed musical appreciation and
social integration, which became the form of Latin dance. However, much of the
storytelling element disappeared from the genre as the focus moved toward the
rhythm and steps, Hanson explains. The movement evolved differently because it
brought a certain element of daintiness to the Aztec dance since the steps were
smaller and the movements were less forceful. Combining African styles along
with the Native and European influences is what truly makes Latin possible. And
the result was the popular Latin dance forms.
The movement and rhythms of African influences left
a permanent mark in Latin dance. When the African slaves were forced to Europe
in the 1500s, their culture brought styles such as basic, simple movements
(putting emphasis on the upper body, torso, or feet) and intricate movements
like the coordination of different body parts and complex actions such as fast
rotation, ripples of the body, and contraction and release, as well as
variations in dynamics, levels, and use of space.” The difference between
the African and European styles was that it included bent knees and a downward
focus (grounded to the earth) rather than a straight-backed upward focus like
the Europeans, and whole-foot steps than toes and heels. These influences from
African roots have allowed Latin dance to become what it is today. It’s
classic, gentle and fast at the same time and attractive to watch.
The popular dance forms have been appreciated the world over and have
even mixed or combined with local dance forms in many countries. The Latin
dance forms are as follows:
Waltz: This is a slow dance, with a three beat rhythms. It
is normally performed during weddings. It is derived from the German word walzan which
means roll, turn or to glide. Even though it was born in the suburbs of Vienna and in the Alpine
region of Austria, this is referred to as a Latin American dance style.
Foxtrot: Though this style originated in New York, it’s is
considered a Latin American dance. The combination of quick and slow steps permits
more flexibility and makes it look sensuous.
Rumba: Rumba is another Cuban dance, but it’s popular in
other Caribbean islands. It originated in Cuba. Fast paced and sexy, rumba has
sensual hip movements, achieved by transferring the body weights from one foot
to the other. This hip movement is combined with very smooth steps, to make it
look sensual.
Salsa: The Latin dance list would not be complete without
Salsa, one of the popular dances in the world. This dance form originating from
Cuba, has time signature of 4/4.
Samba: Samba originated in Brazil and is performed in the
street carnivals in Rio de Janeiro. In Samba, three steps are performed on two beats.
Cha Cha Cha: This dance consists of three quick steps and then
two slower steps, performed on two beats. It originated in Cuba, and contains
both African and Cuban beats.
Jive: Do not confuse it with the jive done by most
Catholics. Jive comes from North America. A very fast, energy-consuming dance,
it is much more bouncy than the swing. The swing is what the Catholics in India
call Jiv.
Apart from the above, one can also come across
other Latin American dance styles - Meregue, Bossa Nova and Tango. The category
of Latin dances in the international dance-sport competitions consists of
the Cha-cha-cha, Rumba, Samba, Paso doble and also the Jive of United
States origin. Social Latin dances (Street Latin) include Salsa, Mambo,
Merengue, Rumba, Bachata, Bomba and Plena.
Perreo is a Puerto Rican dance associated
with Reggaeton music with Jamaican and Caribbean influences.
Argentinian folk dances are Chacarera, Escondido and Zamba,
also tango used to be a popular dance until the mid-20th century.
Cueca is Chilean folk dance. Uruguayan folk dances are Pericón, Polka,
Ranchera, etc, also Candombe is a common street and parade dance in the cities.
Typical and attractive Bolivian folk dances are
the Morenada, Kullawada, Caporales and the recently
created Tinku. In Colombia, one of the typical dances is the Cumbia.
Lt General Anil Chauhan
(Retd) named India's new CDS
The appointment comes more than nine months after
the post fell vacant following the death of Gen Bipin Rawat. Lt General Anil
Chauhan (retd) was on Wednesday appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff,
more than nine months after the post fell vacant following the death of Gen
Bipin Rawat.The defence ministry issued a statement announcing the appointment
of Lt Gen Chauhan."The Government has decided to appoint Lt General Anil
Chauhan (Retired) as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and who shall
also function as Secretary to Government of India, Department of Military
Affairs with effect from the date of his assumption of charge and until further
orders," it said.
In a career spanning over nearly 40 years, Lt Gen
Anil Chauhan had held several command, staff and instrumental appointments and
had extensive experience in counter-insurgency operations in Jammu &
Kashmir and North-East India. Commissioned into 11 Gorkha Rifles in 1981, he is
an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian
Military Academy, Dehradun. As Major General, he had commanded an Infantry
Division in the critical Baramulla sector in the Northern Command, and as Lt
General, commanded a corps in the northeast and subsequently went on to become
the Eastern Command chief from September 2019 and held the charge until his
retirement from service in May 2021.
In addition to these command appointments, he has also held important
staff appointments including the charge of Director General of Military
Operations. He had also served on a United Nations mission to Angola. His wide
experience in different areas will be helpful in formulating plans and
policies.
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