Each country has its typical dance, resulting from the interaction of historical, political, and cultural factors. Different peoples use the typical dances of each place as a form of expression of their people, becoming one of the various artistic manifestations unique to a country.
Let's see which are the best typical dances of some of the 10 countries that make up Latin America and make it a unique region in the world.
Let's take a look at some of the most relevant typical dances of some of the countries that make up Latin America, and learn a little more about what they consist of and where their origins lie:
10. Cueca (Chile)
The Chilean cueca is very reminiscent of the Peruvian zamacueca. It wouldn't be fair to overlook that what is considered one of the best exponents of Chilean dance receives a strong influence from it: both participants hold a white handkerchief, probably the most important feature of the Peruvian dance. Similarly, in the Chilean cueca, the man moves around the woman, trying to make her succumb to his charms.
The Chilean cueca has been considered the most representative typical dance of the country since 1979, due to being the most widespread throughout the territory and with the greatest historical relevance, making it the best typical Chilean dance.
9. Paraguayan Dance (Paraguay)
The Paraguayan dance, considered a cultural heritage of the region, receives, as in many cases already detailed, the influence of European traditions that once settled in the territory, which combined with the native ones.
The subtypes of Paraguayan dance are the Bottle Dance, the Galopera Dance, in pairs, and with folkloric influence, each with a series of defined steps and choreography, making it one of the best dances in Latin America.
8. Joropo (Venezuela)
The friends of Venezuela have different typical dances that vary according to the area, time of year, and festivity being commemorated.
The best typical dance of Venezuela might be the "joropo," and depending on the regions where it is danced, it can be: central, eastern, Andean, Larense, and Llanero. Likewise, within each modality, there are various variants.
It is a unique couple dance in Latin America, where the man's steps are followed by the woman's. At the beginning, both are holding hands, keeping their distance. Shortly after, he takes her by the waist, keeping her right hand in his left. The beats or rhythms into which the joropo is divided are: contrapunteo, pasaje, golpe llanero, tonada, and copla.
7. Zamacueca (Peru)
Very similar to the courting movements that roosters perform over hens, the Peruvian zamacueca represents a man's courtship attempts toward a woman.
It was often danced during the Viceroyalty of Peru (the years it was under Spanish rule) and is characterized by the use of a white handkerchief wielded by both the man and the woman, which they wave fervently over their heads while swaying their hips.
The Peruvian zamacueca is a clear example of a typical dance that makes Latin America a unique territory, thanks in part to the influence of Spanish customs.
6. Jarabe Tapatío (Mexico)
The Jarabe Tapatío has always been considered the national popular dance of Mexico, as it is surely one of the most prominent and makes that area of Latin America unique.
Originating from Jalisco, the Jarabe Tapatío is also known as the "Mexican hat dance" and is influenced by the contribution of the Gypsy Jarabes from Spanish culture to the Mexican country, a dance that mixed with indigenous typical dances. The result was the Jarabe Tapatío, unique in its kind and in Latin America.
Both dancers depict a romantic courtship situation through this typical dance. In it, the man approaches the woman and invites her to dance; she rejects these approaches but eventually gives in and succumbs to his charms. An important gesture the man makes is leaving his hat on the ground at the beginning of the dance. After dancing around it, the hat will be picked up by her, and here the choreography begins.
5. Cumbia (Panama)
Panamanians enjoy the steps of their cumbia, which, in addition to being a unique typical dance in the country, is the name given to the musical rhythm that accompanies it.
The Panamanian cumbia arises from the union of native rhythms with others from certain areas of Africa and Spain, a result of the years of Conquest. In each area of Panama where it is danced, the cumbia varies according to the predominance of European, indigenous, or African characteristics.
Whether in pairs or open (that is, in groups on the same dance floor), the cumbia consists of a series of basic steps: the seguidilla, hip swaying, paseo, escobillado, and zapateo.
4. Merengue (Dominican Republic)
Recently, Dominican merengue has been considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Merengue is, along with bachata, the best typical dance in the Dominican Republic; however, it goes far beyond being a dance, as it is very widespread in all the daily aspects of its people. So much so, that merengue has its own National Day (November 26).
Due to its characteristics, merengue exudes sensuality and passion, with sensual choreographies that move to the sound of percussion instruments (drums and maracas), as well as wind instruments (saxophones or trumpets), being one of the dances that make Latin America unique.
3. Conga (Cuba)
On the island of Cuba, dancing the conga is one of the best typical Latin American dances, with African reminiscences. The marked rhythms of the conga come from percussion instruments, such as drums and bass drums, but also from more rustic ones, like pans, bells, or cowbells. As a complement, wind instruments like the trumpet or the Chinese cornet were incorporated.
In times past, the Cuban conga was used as a propaganda tool during political events, but it gradually became popular to be danced by the entire population, beyond ideology. The conga is danced en masse, without partners, so it involves marching harmoniously to the beat of each rhythm.
It is, without a doubt, one of the best typical dances that make Cuba unique.
2. Samba (Brazil)
World-renowned for its colorful Rio de Janeiro Carnival, samba also has African origins. It is usually danced in groups, especially during the mentioned festivity, however, there is a "ballroom" version that is danced in pairs, with similarities to other dances like the rumba.
Samba has served Brazilians as an open window to the rest of the world, making it a symbol of the Carioca country and one of the best typical dances, in Latin America and beyond, for its carefree rhythms and positivity.
1. Tango (Argentina)
Tango is, without a doubt, the best typical dance of Argentina, unique in Latin America for being representative of the country and having been spread worldwide. Now consolidated as a full-fledged musical genre, tango is a couple's dance that emerged in the mid-19th century.
The steps that make up this dance are 4: the close embrace and the walk (with their determined movements); and the cut and the quebrada (with a more improvised component, which urges both participants to listen to their partner's body language and act accordingly).