History of Salsa Dancing

It's a world where the leg and arm do the work. But those bemusing movements, shoulder rolls, leg moves, and marooned positions take the leg and arm work just too seriously. When they display a romantic emotion on the beat, Salsa happens. The passion that is displayed on the dance floor, when a couple takes to the scene, leaves you marveling, how in the hell could they make such good use of their body! Timing so darn correct, patterns so innovative, attitude so flirtatious, and an attire so whimsical. How did this style of dancing evolve? What really is the history of Salsa? You're as desiring knowledge as I am. Let's turn the pages of history, and soak up all information about the emergence of love-making on the beat.

Origination of 'Salsa' - The Name

There could be no better name for a dance form like Salsa, a juicy, spicy, and naughty dance that it is. Salsa is derived from the Spanish word 'sauce', targeting the saucy techniques and moves that the dance involves. The thumping of congas, cowbells, claves and trumpets we bask in today belongs to the Cubans and Puerto Ricans who shaped Salsa in the way we see it today, all throughout Latin America as well as the United States. Salsa also takes cues from Mambo and Rumba, which are similar, if not identical, forms of Latin dancing. From Cuba in Africa, Salsa has its roots which transformed into contemporary styles in early 60s. In Africa, the native slaves were made to turn Christians. However, through the codes in their language, they managed to escape. It was when they tasted freedom that they tapped their feet on beats on the streets. The music at that time had extremely complex beats which were referred to as toques. Ironic as it may sound, during the yore days, Salsa saw drummers beating their accompaniments according to how the dancer moved, today, the dancer taps their feet to the beats of the drum.

It was when the native slaves were brought to America by the Europeans, that the US was exposed to Afro-Caribbean music, which then became an obsession for the masses. Americans, having always savored art and dance, embraced Salsa with arms wide open, and started blending it with other dance styles such as jazz, ballroom, and tap dance. It was an interesting blend of all cultures and styles that today we see Salsa as it is.

The Music Behind

Historians and music veterans state that the first time the word Salsa appeared on the radio was with a composition of Ignacio Pineiro that was dedicated to an African butifarras seller. Since butifarras were a sausage-like product, Salsa as a dance and music form was accepted among masses. The history of Salsa music dates back to various decades, and is basically a recurring eight-beat pattern. In other words, every two bars have four beats. During each four beats, three steps are danced on, while one beat is skipped. This skipped beat is marked by either a kick, a flick or a tap. Well, it's a fuse of complicated rhythms and music with as many as 180 beats per minute!

The Grace Behind

Salsa, being a vivacious and elegant form of dancing that it is, has gracefully revealing costumes which have been originated from the African culture. Sequined bikini dresses, with bra tops and heavy work done on the hips as well as the busts. Colors such as blue, red, golden, silver, and other shimmery hues adorned the bodies of African dancers, so as to look striking and attractive. While women had colorful bikini dresses to wear, men wore flashy V-necked shirts and tight pants. They paired it up with tap shoes, and many a time wore a hat too. On the other hand, women wore pencil-heeled shoes such as stilettos, to make leg movements look elegant and accurate.

You know, today, even after taking account of the elaborate Salsa dancing chronicles that explained the conventions and beliefs of its originators, there exists only one rule in Salsa dancing: there ain't no rule. It is a blend of various cultures and styles, and relevant to them, it is danced by a male and a female. Salsa is one form of dancing that represents the heated chemistry between a couple, and that they're extremely comfortable having each other for tapping their feet. You see, many forms of dancing occupy the entire dance floor and create magic. And Salsa? Salsa occupies just a fixed area, and bemuses the audience. Wanna try? Put on your dancing shoes, right now!