Rumba is the slowest and the oldest form of dance that has evolved in Cuba from the African slaves and is the most sexiest of all the latin american dances. It tells a story of the flirtations, love and passion between the couple who are dancing.It is called the grandfather of all the latin dances.
There are 4 popular Types of Rumba:
- Cuban Rumba that includes percussion, song and dance styles that owe their origin to African slaves in Cuba.
- Rumba (dance) in the international dance styles that correspond to slower Cuban music, such as the bolero-son or the Danzon
- Flamenco Rumba includes a style of flamenco music from Spain also known as Gypsy Rumba or Rumba Gitana.
- African Rumba in Congo that is inspired by the Cuban son and evolved into soukous music.
All the above are characterised by sharp eye contact, stillness of the upper body, distinctive hip movement called Cuban Motion, bending and straightening of the knees and strong, sensuous leg and foot movements.All this gives the dance a romantic touch.,
The basic rhythm of the Rumba is quick-quick-slow with distinctive side-to-side hip movements which are simply a result of well controlled weight transfer between the foot, ankle, knee and leg action. The music beat count is 2,3,4-1.
Basic steps include Fan, Hockey Stick, Alemana Turn, Aida, Open Hip Twist, La Elenita, Fencing Line, Hip Rolls and El Paseo.
Rumba came into the US in the 1920 but in 1935, the movie 'Rumba' made this dance form very popular among the US masses.
The costume for Rumba typically consists of a ruffled shirt, mainly red in color, trousers and a matching sash for men and
a midriff top which has ruffled sleeves and a ruffled skirt with a matching turban which has a red colored jewel at the center for women. The Red colour is common.
"We are telling a story. The Rumba is the dance of love. Look at me like you're in love."
The above quote, from the 1992 movie, 'Strictly Ballroom', couldn't have described this form of Latin ballroom dancing any better.
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