10 Salsa

History of Salsa Dancing

Origins and Early Development

• Salsa dancing originated in the Caribbean, specifically in Cuba and Puerto Rico, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are deeply embedded in the fusion of African and European music and dance traditions brought together during colonial times. African rhythms and percussion merged with Spanish guitar and European partner dance forms, creating a unique musical and dance landscape.

Musical and Dance Influences

• The most significant precursor to salsa was the Cuban Son, which combined African percussion, Spanish guitar, and call-and-response vocals. Other influential styles included mambo, cha-cha-cha, rumba, and danzón from Cuba, as well as Bomba and plena from Puerto Rico. This blend of styles led to the development of salsa as a vibrant, rhythmic, and energetic partner dance.

Evolution in the United States

• In the 1940s and 1950s, salsa began to gain popularity in New York City, fueled by Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants who brought their music and dance traditions to the U.S. The multicultural environment of New York allowed salsa to evolve further, incorporating elements from jazz and other Latin American genres such as Colombian cumbia and Dominican merengue. The 1960s and 1970s were pivotal decades, marked by the flourishing of salsa clubs and the dance’s increasing structure and formalization.

The Salsa Explosion and Global Spread

• The term “salsa,” meaning “sauce” in Spanish, reflects the spicy blend of musical and dance influences. The Fania All-Stars, a collective of influential musicians including Celia Cruz and Tito Puente, played a crucial role in popularizing salsa globally during the “Salsa Explosion” of the 1970s. Their performances and recordings helped spread the appeal of salsa worldwide.

Modern Salsa Styles

• Today, salsa is a global phenomenon with distinct regional styles, including:
  • Cuban Salsa (Casino): Characterized by circular movements and strong Afro-Cuban influences.
  • New York Style (Mambo): Danced on a line, with an emphasis on elegance and intricate footwork.
  • LA Style: Known for flashy moves and acrobatics, also danced on a linear path.
  • Colombian Salsa (Cali Style): Famous for rapid footwork and quick turns.

Cultural Significance

• Salsa dance represents cultural exchange, unity, and joy. It continues to evolve, blending with local music and dance styles wherever it is practiced. Salsa congresses, festivals, and social dance scenes worldwide celebrate its enduring legacy and vibrant spirit.

 

African Roots and Rhythmic Foundations

• Enslaved Africans brought to the Caribbean introduced complex percussion patterns and polyrhythms, which became the rhythmic backbone of salsa music and dance. Instruments such as congas, bongos, and claves—central to the salsa genre—are direct descendants of African drumming traditions. The African influence also brought call-and-response singing and expressive body movements, both of which are integral to salsa’s lively style.

Fusion with Indigenous and Spanish Elements

• The Caribbean was a cultural melting pot where African rhythms blended with indigenous Taíno instruments (like maracas, güíras, and wooden drums) and Spanish melodies and partner dance techniques. The Spanish introduced string instruments and structured partner dancing, while indigenous instruments provided additional rhythmic layers.

Birth of Afro-Caribbean Genres

• This fusion in Cuba and Puerto Rico gave rise to foundational genres like Son Cubano, mambo, cha-cha-cha, rumba, and danzón, each incorporating Afro-Caribbean rhythmic sensibilities. These genres laid the groundwork for what would become salsa, both musically and in terms of dance movement.

Cultural Evolution and Global Spread

• As these Afro-Caribbean rhythms evolved, they were carried to New York by Cuban and Puerto Rican migrants, where they blended with jazz and other Latin styles, further shaping the development of salsa. The result was a dance and music form that is energetic, syncopated, and deeply rooted in the rhythmic traditions of the Caribbean.

Summary

• Caribbean rhythms, especially those of African origin, are the heartbeat of salsa dance, giving it its signature syncopation, infectious energy, and expressive movement. The blending of African, indigenous, and Spanish influences in the Caribbean created a unique cultural environment that made salsa a distinct cultural phenomenon.

How African, Spanish, and Indigenous Cultures Uniquely Shaped Salsa Rhythm

African Influence

• African cultures contributed the essential rhythmic foundation of salsa. Enslaved Africans brought to the Caribbean preserved their musical heritage through drumming, polyrhythmic beats, and call-and-response singing. Instruments such as congas, bongos, and claves, along with the clave rhythm itself, became the heartbeat of salsa music. African dance favored curved shapes, bent knees, and expressive hip and body movements, which are now hallmarks of salsa dancing.

Spanish Influence

• Spanish colonizers introduced melodic instruments, such as the guitar, and brought structured partner dancing to the Caribbean. Their traditions included formal dances (such as the contradanza and fandango) that influenced salsa’s lead-and-follow dynamics and partner techniques. Spanish musical elements also contributed to more complex arrangements of melodies, harmonies, and vocals, enriching salsa’s musical palette.

Indigenous Influence

• The Indigenous Taíno people contributed foundational percussive sounds and instruments, including wooden drums (mayohuacanes), maracas, and güíras. These instruments remain integral to the genre of salsa music today. While less is documented about their dance forms, their rhythmic storytelling and use of percussion provided a base layer for the evolving salsa rhythm.

The Distinctive Salsa Rhythm: A Cultural Synthesis

• The unique blend of African polyrhythms, Spanish melodies, and partner dance structure, along with Indigenous percussion, creates a vibrant, syncopated, and layered rhythm that defines salsa. This fusion occurred over centuries in the Caribbean, particularly in Cuba and Puerto Rico, as these cultures interacted through festivals, social gatherings, and daily life. The result is a rhythm that is both complex and danceable, embodying the resilience, creativity, and spirit of the Caribbean

Basic Salsa Rhythm Pattern (Counts 1-8)

Count	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Step Type	Step	Step	Step	Pause	Step	Step	Step	Pause

• Counts 1-2-3: Three quick steps (often forward, in place, back)
• Count 4: Pause or subtle weight shift
• Counts 5-6-7: Three quick steps (usually mirrored)
• Count 8: Pause or subtle weight shift

🔹 Lead and Follow Basics (On1 Timing – most common in the U.S.)

Leader:

• 1: Step forward with the left foot
• 2: Step in place with the right foot
• 3: Step back to center with the left foot
• 4: Pause
• 5: Step back with the right foot
• 6: Step in place with the left foot
• 7: Step forward to the center with the right foot
• 8: Pause

Follower:

• 1: Step back with the right foot
• 2: Step in place with the left foot
• 3: Step forward to the center with the right foot
• 4: Pause
• 5: Step forward with the left foot
• 6: Step in place with the right foot
• 7: Step back to center with the left foot
• 8: Pause
  *Instructional Videos:
  https://ncsu.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=11026eca-794f-4fc3-9057-b2df017aa0e1
• Basic Step Pattern
• Side Break
• Side Break with a Front Cross
• Back Break
• Back Break with a Follower’s Underarm Turn
• Crossbody Lead
• Crossbody Lead with an Inside Turn (Follower)
• Follower’s Turn
• Triple Turn
• Practice with Music