There are many Latin dance styles, and they are all unique and beautiful in their ways. It is not uncommon that people can’t identify the differences between some dance styles. In this article, I will shed some light on the main differences between Merengue and Cumbia.
What is the difference between Merengue and Cumbia? Merengue steps are 2 bars of music, and each step takes eight counts. It is danced as limping steps where weight is always on the same foot. On the other hand, the Cumbia is based on a 2/2 or 2/4 time signature.
Also, Merengue originates from the Dominican Republic, whereas, Cumbia originates from the Columbian Caribbean.
Here is a fantastic video showcasing the beautiful Latin dance styles.
Believe me; you will want to get up and dance immediately 🙂
What is Merengue Dance?
The Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic that was established in mid of 19th century, and it also accompanies the merengue style of music. Besides Merengue being very popular in the Dominican Republic, it also dominates in South America and Carrebeans.
Merengue was introduced in New York many years after.
Dance partners hold hands at chest level while moving in slow and sensual circles to the music’s rhythm. Merengue is a two-step dance where the hips movements are the main focus.
The basic dance steps are very similar to the marching. Dancers keep their knees bent and feet in contact with the floor while dancing. It is an excellent dance for beginners to practice Latin hip motions. No wonder why my Salsa dance instructor introduced me to Merengue first upon signing up for Salsa classes.
As with all other Latin dances, the moves’ sensuality comes from the hips (because hips don’t lie, haha). Although the basic steps may appear easy, the hips emphasize all the movements.
Merengue Music
Unlike other Latin dances, both Merengue dance and Merengue music originate from the Dominican Republic. Merengue is a musical style that represents the spirit of the entire country.
Merengue’s style was established in Africa and came to life in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The music is based on a repeating five-beat rhythmic pattern called a quintillo. With Spanish and African influences, Merengue is a nice mix of traditional and contemporary musical styles.
Merengue is performed with a group of musicians using the following instruments:
- A Tambora
- A diatonic accordion
- A guira
Since these instruments are relatively inexpensive, Merengue is played across the World. Merengue music also includes other instruments such as a saxophone or a horn.
What Is Cumbia Dance?
Cumbia is a music and dance style that originates from the Columbian Caribbean coastal town of San Basilio.
Cumbia music is often called the mother of all Latin music because it influenced other Latin musical genres.
Cumbia dance and music are very popular worldwide but not as much as Merengue is.
The basic steps in Cumbia dancing are the back-break basic. A “wind-up” motion that characterizes Cumbia is often danced in a circular pattern, sometimes called the Columbian or Cumbia circle basic.
Cumbia is closely related to Swing dance because many similar steps are found in these dance styles.
When dancing with a partner, the lead goes back with the left leg, and the follower goes back with the right leg.
The word Cumbia has been acquired from the African Cumbe, which means dance. It represents a blending of cultures both rhythmically and musically during the 17th century when African slaves were brought to Colombia by the Spanish.
Since then, music and dance have evolved to match the contemporary World. Cumbia is now danced and played in many clubs and Latin social events in many countries.
Original Cumbia is different than modernized Cumbia. As I mentioned earlier, it has evolved to satisfy the needs of contemporary society.
Cumbia Music
Cumbia music originated in Columbia in 1800. Cumbia music is very popular in South America, Central America, and Mexico. Modern cumbia music emphasizes a variety of musical instruments like piano, bongo drums, and others.
The exact sound of cumbia music varies from country to country due to regional differences. Cumbia music is highly influenced by Spanish, African, and Native American culture and music.
Traditional cumbia music instruments include flutes, drums, and other wind instruments, ouds, guitars, and percussion instruments, like the maracas. Cumbia music has continued to develop over time, adding new instruments such as trumpets, Caja drums, clarinets, saxophones, synthesizers, and trombones.
Final Words
No doubt, learning either the Merengue or Cumbia will benefit you greatly. Learning to dance is a great skill to have in your life. I hope that this article has shed some light on the main difference between Merengue and Cumbia and that it helps you decide which dance style is better for you to learn.
Happy dancing!
