Rumba is a dance with deep inner content. The dance of love, partly unhappy, lonely and tearing the soul apart. Drama and sensuality are combined in dance into a single whole. It is believed that rumba was born from a symbiosis of flamenco and African slave dances in the 19th century. The name, according to one version, comes from dance groups, which were called in those days “rumboso orquestra”. Many researchers recognize that the word rumba is translated as the path of the soul.
Many years ago, rumba was not the same as we know it now. Initially, it was a kind of sensual pantomime, which was performed in a very fast rhythm. At the same time, the rumba of that time corresponded to many movements from ordinary life. For example, contracting the side in a dance is nothing more than the movement of a slave with a heavy load in his hands. An element of cucaracha - this is how cockroaches used to be crushed. Spot-turn slaves danced around the cart wheel! Today's slow and sensual version of the rumba first took place in 1930 in the United States. He combined several dance options from different parts of the world. During this time, the popularization of the dance was in full swing, and costumes and shoes for rumba dancing were improved. For example, in 1920, an orchestra was assembled to play Latin American music at various venues, as well as on film sets.
Rumba came to Europe with the famous dancer Pierre Lavelle. While in Cuba, he noticed that the local rumba is performed on the count of “two.” It was this technique that he began to teach in dance classes. So the dance became more romantic and sensual, the dresses for this sporty ballroom dance are also sensual and romantic. It is interesting that even in modern rumba history can be traced. After all, then, a woman tried to be stronger than a man with the help of coquetry and charm. If you carefully follow the dance, you can always notice an element where the partner is first next to the partner and, as it were, teasing him, and then begins to run away to the side towards the other partner.
Rumba is the path of the soul that is ready for love, but is so afraid to show its weakness and open up to its partner that all this makes it unhappy and lonely.
History of Rumba Dance
Rumba is a dance of African blacks brought to Cuba at the end of the last century. The dance emphasizes the movements of the body, not the legs. Complex, overlapping rhythms, tapped by pots, spoons, bottles... were more important to the dance than the melody. Rumba appeared in Havana in the 19th century in combination with the European Contradanza. The name "Rumba" probably comes from the name of dance groups in 1807 - "rumboso orquestra", although in Spain the word "rumbo" means "path" (in Russian the naval equivalent is "rumbas", that is, direction), and "rumba" " - "heap is small", and "rhum" is a type of liquor popular in the Caribbean, although any of these words could be used to describe this dance. The original meaning of the name, in my opinion, is “the path of the soul.” The dance has two sources - Spanish and African: Spanish melodies and African rhythms. Although the basics of the dance are Cuban, many movements originated in other Caribbean islands and Latin America in general. Originally, the rumba is a sexual pantomime performed in a fast rhythm with exaggerated movements of the hips in a pattern of sexually aggressive advances by the man and defensive movements by the woman. Accompanying musical instruments- maracas, claves, marimbola, and drums. The rural form of rumba in Cuba is akin to the mating dances of domestic animals, more of a performance than a dance.
The movement of the shoulders and the contraction of the sides in the dance are the movements of slaves under a heavy load in their hands. The "Cucaracha" movement is an imitation of squashing cockroaches. The "Spot Turn" in a Cuban village was danced recklessly around the rim of a cart wheel! The popular rumba tune "La Paloma" has been known in Cuba since 1866. A version of the rumba similar to the one danced today appeared in the United States in the 1930s, as a combination of this rural rumba with the Guaracha, Cuban Bolero (no relation to the Spanish Bolero), later Son and Danzon were added. After the First World War, the "Son" dance appeared, a dance of the Cuban middle class - with a slower rhythm and more decent movements. Even slower is the "Danzon", a dance of the rich, respectable Cuban society with very small steps, when the partners hardly move their hips, but carefully bend and straighten their legs, showing their slenderness, grace and length.
American Rumba is a modified version of the "Son" dance. The first serious attempt to popularize rumba in the United States was in 1913 (Lew Quinn and Joan Sawyer). Ten years later, orchestra director Emil Coleman specially invited rumba players and a couple of rumba dancers. In 1925 Benito Collada opened the El Chico Greenwich Club. It turned out that no one in New York can dance the rumba!
Real interest in Latin music began around 1929. In the late 1920s, Xavier Cugat formed an orchestra that played only Latin American music in Coconut Grove in Los Angeles and played in early talkies such as "In Gay Madrid". Later in the 1930s, Cugat played at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York. By the end of the decade, his orchestra was recognized as the best Latin American orchestra of the decade. In 1935, George Raft played the suave dancer in Rumba, the first film in which the hero is rewarded by the heroine because of their shared love of dancing. After 52 years - the film "Dirty Dancing", when an experienced teacher seduces a beginner, then "Strictly Ballroom" with a similar plot, and two films with opposite plots, when the partners are almost beginners - "Dance with me" in 1998 and "Let" s it be me". Rumba appeared in Europe thanks to the enthusiasm and brilliant interpretations of Pierre Lavelle, a leading English teacher of Latin American dances. He visited Havana in 1947, and it turned out that rumba in Cuba is performed with an emphasis on the count of “two”, and not on “one”, as in American rumba. He began to teach this technique with the names of the main figures received from Pepe Rivera from Havana in England. In the 50s, he and his partner and wife Doris Lovell performed a lot with demonstration performances and Latin American dance lessons in London.
With the innovation of only shifting the weight on the “one” count, without the actual step, the dance acquired a very sensual and romantic character. The count “one” is the strongest count in rumba; without taking a step on this count, we emphasize the active movement of the hips with music. Together with at a slow pace music and musical emphasis on the work of the hips, the dance acquires a lyrical and erotic character. Steps are taken on counts of 2, 3 and 4. Knees straighten and bend on each step, turning between counts. The weight of the body is in front, all steps are taken from the toe. Pierre Lavelle introduced the true "Cuban rumba", which, after much debate, was officially recognized and standardized in 1955. modern dance many of the main figures carry old story a woman's attempts to dominate a man using feminine charm. During the dance there is always an element when the partner "teases" the partner and then runs away, the man is first seduced, and then the partner leaves him and strives for another. To another partner, a judge, a spectator... In response to the passionate erotic movements of a partner, the partner, through reciprocal movements, expresses a desire to possess her, tries to prove his masculinity through physical dominance, but, alas, usually achieves nothing. Rumba is the spirit and soul of Latin American music and dance. Charming rhythms and body movements make rumba one of the most popular ballroom dancing, many partners consider this dance their favorite.
Characteristics of Rumba:
Movement: In place, Smooth, Continued with accents, Sliding.
Time signature: 4/4
Beats per minute: 27-31
Emphasis: on 1 and 3 (1 stronger) blow.
Competition: 1.5 - 2 minutes
Slow, pulsating rhythm, romantic music - this is what helps rumba not to grow old and always be in fashion. The story told by the partner in the rubma incorporates the characteristics characteristic of a Latin American man in love - strength and confidence, sensuality and the desire to please a woman. The intense rhythm of the dance is reminiscent of the eternal drama of love, when one finds it and the other loses it irrevocably. However, one should not think that rumba is primarily intended for a male partner.
The partner performs her own and very important role. She teases her partner, entices him, seduces him in order to then reject him. If tango is passion, then rumba is undoubtedly a love story. The rumba is magnificent from the very first movements and is filled with restrained power and feelings, which are helped to reveal an exquisite rhythm - simple and romantic, with the exciting, echo-like sounds of guajira in the background.
At times it seems that when dancing the rumba, partners look into the eyes not of each other, but of fate itself.
The “international” style of rumba owes much of its content to the Cuban guajira - an ancient folk dance, whose name gave the name to the wooden musical instrument. Many elements of guajira passed into rumba almost in their original form.
The most famous rumba melody throughout the world must obviously be considered the famous “Guantanamera”, written by Joseito Fernandez and quickly becoming a rumba classic. In Cuba, the verb "rumbare" simply means "to dance" and is therefore applied to a variety of dances, and sometimes refers to a dance evening as such. In the Spanish-speaking world, rumba is also called “bolero-rumba”.
There is also a “square rumba”, characterized by tighter positions and fluid movements. Rumba appeared in this form in the early 1930s. In the late 1940s, rumba became famous in Europe and the United States, where it was often called Cuban rumba. In order to make it more meaningful and dynamic, open positions began to be used more and more often, which is why the rumba became even more intense. By the early 1990s, the international style of rumba gained new heights thanks to the magnificent performances of 13-time world champions in international Latin American dance Donie Burns and Gaynor Fairweather from Great Britain.
It must be admitted that those people who live in Havana and dance, as before, in its bars, can hardly recognize the familiar rumba in the dance of the same name, which is performed on the professional stage. On the other hand, more and more tourists are visiting the birthplace of rumba, and if there are dance lovers among them, they cannot help but take note of what native Latin Americans are rightfully proud of in their dances - the simplicity and purity of the rumba lines. After all, in the end everything Latin American dances they talk about love, and for any of them you need very little - a man, a woman and beautiful music.
Rumba attracts attention with original movements filled with flirtation and passion. But is it really the unbridled emotions of two lovers that formed the basis of this dance? The history of style is fraught with interesting points, which we invite you to learn about right now.
What is rumba distinctive features dance
Rumba is a multicultural phenomenon. Speaking in modern language, this is a separate subculture like dudes, hippies, etc. This is a conversation about the unity of music and dance, with the melody setting the rhythm for the dancers.
For those who are barely familiar with it dance style, one might get the impression that this is a dance of love and passion. But that's not true. Real Cuban rumba is a celebration, joy and desire to enjoy life. The lyrics of the songs revolve around two themes: politics and social order. There is little love here, but a lot of energetic movements and a frantic rhythm, which is set by African drums.
Where then did the distorted perception of dance come from? Thanks to the assignment of international status to the style. Ballroom rumba has a calmer, more romantic musical accompaniment, as well as more graceful choreography. Watching the dancers flirt on stage, one involuntarily feels a feeling of sadness and longing for a departed love.
But the features of rumba do not end there. The Cuban direction is divided into three types, each of which is endowed with specific features.
Guaguanco is the most common rumba. It resembles flirting between two partners. At the same time, the man tries to touch his partner with a handkerchief, and she effectively defends herself by performing beautiful movements hips.
Yambu is the oldest rumba, where the flirting of a partner with his partner also comes to the fore. But everything proceeds much more softly and not as boldly as in guaguanco.
Colombia. Unlike previous varieties, this rumba originated in rural areas of Cuba. The style is distinguished by its fast pace, energy and the obligatory presence of a male solo dancer.
IN general outline rumba is:
couple dance;
spectacular movements of the hips, body and arms;
a special atmosphere of the tropics, conducive to relaxation and bliss on the ocean.
History of rumba
Cuba is considered the birthplace of this dance genre. Under the hot rays of the sun scorching the island of Liberty, the rumba appeared, which was destined to win the hearts of millions around the world.
It all started in the 60s of the 19th century, when streams of blacks freed from slavery poured from the eastern outskirts of Cuba into large cities: Havana and Matanzas. Thousands of Africans, brought to the lands of Liberty Island two centuries earlier, began to spread their culture among the local population. Former slaves settled working-class neighborhoods next to immigrants from Europe and filled life around with African rhythms and dances.
It is noteworthy that the basis of rumba is not just African traditions, but the culture of individual African nationalities. To be more precise, these are the Bantu tribes. It was they who settled Havana and became the progenitors of dance. Interestingly, Bantu dances are secular, that is, they were performed at various holidays. They have ritual roots, but they are not fundamental in nature.
Europeans, most of which were the Spaniards and Africans - two cultures, at the junction of which the birth of rumba took place. The style inherited the poetic meter and vocal style of singing songs from the Spaniards, and the drum sound and energy from the Africans.
The abolition of slavery in Cuba did not mean an offensive for blacks peaceful life. Hard work hasn't gone away, and neither has discrimination. Unlike the United States, life was easier for the black population on Liberty Island: Africans were given the rights of whites. But at the same time, they were forbidden to hold the position of engineer or doctor, and also... to play national instruments- drums. If the police saw musicians playing tumbadores or cajons in crowded places, they immediately confiscated them.
It is impossible to force a people filled with rumba rhythms to live without music and dance. Witty Cubans came up with the idea of performing “rumba de bemba” on their lips. In essence, they made sounds using their mouths and lips, confusing the authorities. Thus, the style continued to live at the beginning of the 20th century.
In the 50s, the performance of rumba could only be seen in urban solares. They were living quarters that surrounded courtyards. The energy of the dance also accompanied workers at sugar processing factories and local taverns. People who knew each other well usually gathered in these places. Therefore, they gladly indulged in music and dancing in order to forget about the hard everyday life.
It turns out that rumba was originally a genre inherent in the poor sections of the Cuban population. But around 1952, the style began to emerge from the “underground”, from the backyards of Solares to theater scenes. His appearance among intellectuals is associated with a group of friends who decided to form the rumba ensemble “Guaguanco Matancero”. They were inspired by rumba recordings that accompanied gatherings of the local population in the Rooster tavern.
The newly formed team began to actively perform at various holidays, participate in various television programs and radio broadcasts. After 2 years, “Guaguanco Matancero” released the first record with the recording “Dolls” (“Los Muñequitos”), which became a national hit and is still perceived as characteristic style rumbas, born in the province of Matanzas.
Closer to the 60s, the Cuban government “took up” the rumba. Style becomes politicized. The Ministry of Culture begins to create organizations dedicated to dance training, take part in the development of “folk” and professional dancers, and actively promote the style at various events.
What caused such interest on the part of the ruling officials? The desire to change the values of the people. After all, the history of rumba is, first of all, the history of dark-skinned Cubans. If the government is loyal to this dance, then all racial prejudices are a thing of the past. The politicization of rumba is an attempt to change social prejudices.
What's happening with rumba today? The dance has not disappeared. Moreover, the direction is included in the Latin American ballroom dance program, along with samba, cha-cha-cha, paso doblema and jive.
Outside Cuba
In the USA, talk about rumba among the population was heard back in 1914. But the dance did not cause any particular delight in anyone. It took about 20 years for the style to emerge new uniform called "American Rumba". A peculiar rebirth of the genre occurred under the influence of jazz - the choreography was filled with more simple figures and a clear rhythm of steps.
Europeans owe the appearance of rumba in their homeland to dance teacher Pierre Lavelle. Traveling around Cuba, he was so inspired by the country's dance culture that he could not leave it without the attention of his students in London. The style caused heated debate among the prim British, but this did not stop it from being standardized in 1955. By the way, in addition to rumba, Lovell enriched the culture of the Old World and cha-cha-cha.
Interesting facts
The main instruments used to perform rumba are tumbadores, clave and cajon. They all relate to drums. But for Cubans, the history of the appearance of the cajon is especially noteworthy. In its modern form, this instrument is a wooden box on which the musician sits. In the past, the role of a cajon was played by large wooden boxes used to transport fish from Spain to Cuba. As soon as the boxes were emptied, local music lovers took them to extract the low rumba sounds.
Rumba became the latest foreign style to be included by Soviet choreographers in the ballroom dance program. Teachers from the Soviet era were embarrassed by the provocative nature of the style.
You can admire the performance of rumba in cinema thanks to the popular film “The Mask” (1994). Jim Carrey's fiery movements in the scene with the police are impossible to watch without moving. The shoulders begin to move on their own.
There are several versions regarding the origin of the name of the style. The first states that it is based on the term “rumboso orquestra”. IN early XIX centuries, this was the name given to musicians performing dance tunes. The second is closely associated with Spain, where the word "rumbo" is used to mean "path".
The best melodies in rumba rhythms
"Guantanamera"- one of the most popular songs created in the rumba genre. The exact date of its appearance is unknown. The poems were written by José Martí around 1891. Musical accompaniment appeared almost 40 years later thanks to Jose Fernandez Diaz. What is the song about? About a girl from Guantanamo Bay who leaves the main character after a romantic relationship.
"Guantanamera" (listen)
"La Paloma" or "Dove". It's hard to believe, but this composition is over 150 years old. Despite her advanced age, she is recognizable from the first chords. It was written by Sebastian Iradier, a Spanish composer. What else is remarkable about this song? The fact that today the number of her records exceeds the 2000 mark. Among famous performers who sang “La Paloma” include Elvis Presley, Julio Iglesias and Mireille Mathieu.
"La Paloma" (listen)
"Paxi Ni Ngongo"- a sensual and heartfelt song performed by Bonga, an Angolan composer. And although this singer was born far from the island of Liberty, African motifs and the struggle for independence can also be traced in his work. After all, Angola, located in South Africa, fought for freedom from the Portuguese.
"Paxi Ni Ngongo" (listen)
"Cantinero de Cuba" performed by Cuban singer Velfo Gutierrez. The song is literally imbued with the history of the Cuban people, who loved to relax in taverns. “Tavern in Cuba” - this is exactly how the song is translated, memorable with a light and beautiful melody.
"Cantinero de Cuba"(listen)
Rumba will always be associated with Cuba and the spirit of freedom with which the first dancers of African and Spanish origin filled it. This spirit still lives on the streets of Havana, where dark-skinned Cubans happily dance to the exciting sounds of African drums.
Video: watch rumba
Rumba is a dance that causes an emotional outburst, it combines crazy passion and control of the mind, the fiery element rages in it, and it is opposed by cold determination, all this is just a small list of emotions that arise in the soul of any person familiar with this energetic dance.
“Rumba” was first mentioned at the beginning of the 19th century. A mixture of percussive rhythms, dances and songs was born in Cuba. He is of African descent. However, this ritual dance, which came from Africa, has undergone many changes, but most importantly, the “soul of the dance” has remained the same. Wild, smooth, erotic movements became increasingly popular; they captivated the viewer. Rumba was considered the dance of love. After all, only in this dance do they combine smooth movements And dramatic music, and all this gives a unique aesthetic effect. Many believed that dance was an expression of erotic feelings, but in fact the rumba was wedding dance and his movements symbolized the family responsibilities of husband and wife. The very first and quite serious attempt to introduce “Rumba” to the masses was made in 1913 in the USA. But, unfortunately, she, like all subsequent ones, failed. It wasn't until 1929 that people became really interested in Latin music. However, the dance also underwent changes, the so-called American rumba appeared, it was distinguished by more restrained movements and style. It was this dance that spread throughout the world. “Rumba” came to Europe only after the end of World War II. There the dance rapidly gained popularity and attracted more and more fans. The most vibrant and emotional dances are presented in Latin American and European programs. There are five dances in the Latin American program and the dance about difficult love, which is so loved by many and has become very popular these days, takes its place of honor. A unique African rhythm, instincts coming from ancient times and a real spiritual impulse - all this has made the hearts of fans beat in unison for many years. The most famous melody for “Rumba” was written by Joseit Fernandez and is called “Guantanamera”, it became a classic of rumba. Several modern melodies are written in a major key; they are, of course, original in their own way, but do not leave such a deep impression.
Today, the Rumba dance has undergone changes, it has been standardized, made more categorical and strict. Officially it is believed that dance is cultural heritage Cuban people.
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Rumba appeared in Cuba in the 19th century. Like many Latin dances, rumba was the result of mixing with European country dance. It is quite possible that the name of the dance comes from the name of dance orchestras - “rumboso orquestra”. "Rumbo" translates to "way" in Spanish, and the word "rumba" means "heap of small things." Either of the two words could be used to describe the dance. Dance music has two sources - Spanish motifs and African rhythms. Although the choreography of the dance is Cuban, some movements were also born on other islands of the Caribbean.
Initially, rumba is a pantomime that talks about the relationship between a man and a woman. Performed at a fast pace with characteristic erotic movements of the hips, it told us a love story. The rhythmic pattern was usually set by such musical instruments as maracas, clave, maribola, and drums. The village form of dance in Cuba itself is reminiscent of animal mating dances and looks more like a performance than a dance. The movements of the shoulders and sides in the dance are an imitation of the walking of slaves with a heavy load in their hands. The cucaracha movement imitated the crushing of insects. The dance turns were performed dashingly around the rim of the cart wheel!
The version of rumba that is danced in the United States to this day appeared in the States in the 1930s. It incorporates elements of rural Cuban rumba with “guaracha” and Cuban “bolero”. A little later, dance movements of the “dream” and “danson” were added to it. “Son” is the dance of the middle stratum of Cuban society, and the dance “Danzón” is of the rich class. The first one was slower than the Cuban rumba and the movements were more decent. The second was even slower; due to the small steps, the ladies hardly worked their hips, but they carefully worked out the movement of their legs, showing their slenderness and length.
The first major attempt to make rumba popular in the United States was in 1913. Ten years later, Emil Coleman specially invited dancers and musicians who knew and played rumba well. And in 1925, a club was opened where you could listen and dance the rumba.
Rumba came to Europe thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of the famous English dance teacher Pierre Lavelle. It turned out that rumba in Cuba is performed with an emphasis on the second beat, and not on the first, as in American rumba. This version of the technique with the names of the basic figures obtained in Havana in 1947. he began teaching in London. Pierre and his wife Doris began to perform a lot with demonstration lessons and rumba performances in England.
Pierre Lavelle showed the real “Cuban rumba”, which, despite heated debates and disputes, was recognized and standardized in 1955.
In modern rumba there are figures in which there is a woman’s desire to dominate a man with the help of charm. During the dance, there is always a moment when the lady “teases” the gentleman and then runs away. To the passionate movements of his partner, the man with his movements shows the desire to possess her, tries to prove his leadership.
