History of the American Rumba:
The Rumba began more than 400 years ago with the black slaves imported from Africa to Cuba. The dance was originally a sex pantomime which displayed the man having a sensual, aggressive attitude and the woman a defensive attitude. The dance movements were extremely expressive and fast and characterized by exaggerated hip movements. The music was played with a staccato beat in keeping with the strong and dynamic moves of the dancers. This sexually charged Afro-Cuban dance was often suppressed by authorities as it was viewed as dangerous and vulgar. This Rural Rumba however continued to grow in popularity and combined with various other Cuban dances which eventually developed into the American Rumba.
The Rumba is made up of several dances that were popular in Cuba, including the Guaracha, the Cuban Bolero, the Cuban Son, and the Rural Rumba.
The Rural Rumba is more an exhibition dance than a participation dance and depicts the movements of barnyard animals. The Cuban Bolero and the Cuban Son on the other hand are moderate tempo danced in a traditional ballroom style and lastly the Guaracha is characterised by its fast, upbeat tempo. All these dances have similar rhythms but in styling, the American Rumba closely resembles the Cuban Son and the Cuban Bolero.
How the Rumba Evolved from Cuba to the Ballroom
Even as recently as WWII, the Son was especially popular in middle-class Cuba. It was characterised by very small steps and subtle hips tilts performed by the women as a result of bending and straightening their knees. The Son was first introduced to America in 1913 and by 1930 this kind of Rumba was introduced into dance salons in America and Europe.
This early American Rumba used very high tempo and its unique styling and musical rhythms quickly captured the attention of ballroom dance enthusiasts. This resulted in the very popular American style Rumba which is now used in ballroom dancing. This style of Rumba is almost half the speed of its ancestor.
The mainstreaming of Rumba into a socially acceptable ballroom dance resulted in the dance being toned down. The characteristic hip movements were considered to be a black or Latino invention so they were significantly downplayed or removed to appeal more to a white audience. This has changed in recent years as more authentic Cuban styles of Rumba are being taught and the appeal and desire to learn these versions have grown drastically.
Although the Rumba has changed significantly since its Afro-Cuban roots, it is still a dance displaying sexual tension and passion. Its feral and fast-paced dance moves are now slower and more demure and the improvisation of the original dance has been replaced by more stylized movements. Nevertheless, the Rumba remains a widely popular dance and its modern ballroom version is still one of the most sensual dances today. Its fascinating movements, including the once controversial Latin hip movements, have ensured that this dance has remained and is sure to remain, one of the most popular ballroom dances.
Dance Music for American Rumba
Angelo: California Dreaming
Andrea Bocelli: Cuando me Enamoro
Michael Buble': Cuando Cuando Cuando
Buika: La Falsa Moneda
Gloria Estefan: Mi Buen Amor
Terrence Trent D'arby: Sign your name
Chris Isaak: Wicked Game
Rumba Syllabus Outline
Couple Demonstration
- To Music
- To a Teaching Count
Couple Technique
- Dance Position
- Leading
- Following
- Musicality
Leaders Pattern
- Alignment of Steps
- Timing
- Musicality
Followers Pattern
- Alignment of Steps
- Timing
- Musicality
The Rumba Patterns:
Bronze Level of Social Dancing:
The Bronze Patterns can be danced in a crowded environment, or on a small floor.
The patterns are simpler and easier to lead/follow with a new acquaintance.
Bronze I dance figures
The Rumba Basic teaches the essential feeling of the American style rumba. There is an alternating flexing and straightening of the knees which ofsets the hips and rib cage creating a rythmic swaying of the hips.
1) Rumba Basic
The Rumba Basic is the key to the movement and feeling of the American Rumba.
2) Extended Box
3) Box and Underarm Turn
4) Crossover Breaks
5) Parallel Breaks
6) Closed Rumba Walks
7) Side Rocks
8) Wrap and Circle Walks
9) Back Spot Turn
10) Forward Spot Turn to Back Spot Turn
