Dances

Danzon

National dance of Cuba, evolved from danza.

Kiriba

An old form of traditional music from eastern Cuba.

Changüí

• No clave
• Feet not lifted of the ground The dance features a shuffling footwork style—dancers glide their feet rather than lifting them.
• Originated in Guantánamo

Son

Son traditional, Son montuno, Son moderno.

Abakuá

Abakuá is a male secret society that originated in Cuba in the early 1800s, specifically in Regla, Havana, in 1836. It was created by enslaved and free Afro-Cubans who brought traditions from the Ekpe societies of the Efik, Ibibio, and Ejagham peoples in the Cross River region of southeastern Nigeria and southwestern Cameroon.

Arará

Arará is a vibrant Afro-Cuban dance rooted in the religious and cultural traditions of the Dahomey people, characterized by rhythmic drumming, expressive movements, and deep spiritual significance.

Franco haitiano

The Franco-Haitiano tradition in Cuba reflects the cultural heritage of Haitian migrants, blending African, Haitian, and Cuban influences in music and dance:

Orishas

Afro-Cuban Orishas are deities from the Yoruba religion, brought to Cuba through the transatlantic slave trade, who embody natural forces and human traits, and are honored through music, dance, and ritual in Santería.

Cuban rumba

Cuban rumba is an Afro-Cuban music and dance genre characterized by complex rhythms, call-and-response vocals, and expressive, often flirtatious movements, rooted in African and Spanish traditions.