The popularity of dance is not limited to one decade or genre. The ’80s spawned the moonwalk and the ’90s gave rise to the hustling and bustling of disco clubs. Dances from the ’20s included the jitterbug, Charleston, and salsa. These are just a few of the most popular dances in today’s culture. But before we dive into which dances are most popular right now, let’s take a look at how they became so popular and when they originated.
The dances of South America have roots in the slave trade. Between the 16th and nineteenth centuries, millions of Africans were shipped to Latin America as slaves. Certain dances incorporated elements of their sub-Saharan cultures. These dances – such as the non-touching fandango – became popular social dances in the region. Many of the era’s Caribbean islands were built on plantation economies and enslaved Africans were part of the population. As a result, African-derived dances were widely performed and spread to other parts of the world.
The Argentine bolero is a popular ballroom dance that has several international variations, including those from Cuba and Spain. The Cuban bolero, also known as rumba, is one of the most famous Latin dances, thanks to its sensuous form and innovative choreography. This dance is characterized by music in two or four-four beats per minute. The rumba, on the other hand, uses higher-energy dance steps.
