Havana
Cuban Dances Originating in Havana
Havana, the cultural heartbeat of Cuba, played a central role in the creation and evolution of several iconic Cuban dances. Some were born directly in the capital, while others were transformed there into the forms we know today.
Origin of:
- Cha-cha-chá
- Mambo
- Son
- Casino
- Rumba
- Guaguancó
- Yambú
1. Rumba (Urban Styles)
- Developed: Late 19th century in Havana and Matanzas.
- Styles associated with Havana:
- Guaguancó – Especially popular in urban neighborhoods.
- Yambú – Present in Havana but more tied to Matanzas.
- Performance context: In solares (tenement patios) and public spaces.
- Cultural roots: Deeply Afro-Cuban (Yoruba, Bantu, etc.).
2. Casino (Cuban Salsa)
- Origin: 1950s Havana, danced in casinos deportivos (social clubs).
- Style: Partner dance blending Son, Mambo, Cha-cha-chá, and Rumba.
- Modern influence: Forms the basis of what's globally known as "Cuban Salsa".
🎶 3. Son (Urban Form)
- Rural origins: Eastern Cuba (Oriente region).
- Urban development: Refined and popularized in Havana in the early 20th century.
- Significance: Foundation for many other Cuban music and dance styles like Mambo and Salsa.
4. Mambo
- Developed: Late 1930s–1940s in Havana.
- Key figures: Arsenio Rodríguez and later Dámaso Pérez Prado.
- Influences: Mix of Son, Jazz, and Danzón.
- Style: Fast, syncopated dance with big-band energy.
- Impact: Became a worldwide dance craze in the 1950s.
5. Cha-cha-chá
- Invented: Early 1950s in Havana by Enrique Jorrín.
- Origin: Derived from danzón-mambo to be more accessible for dancers.
- Features: The recognizable "cha-cha-chá" rhythm.
- Global spread: Quickly gained international popularity.
📋 Summary Table
| Dance |
Origin |
Style |
Havana Connection |
| Rumba (urban) |
Havana + Matanzas |
Afro-Cuban street dance |
Developed in Havana |
| Casino |
Havana (1950s) |
Partner dance, Cuban salsa |
Originated in Havana |
| Son (urban) |
Eastern Cuba → Havana |
Afro-Hispanic fusion |
Urban form in Havana |
| Mambo |
Havana (1930s–40s) |
Big-band, high-energy dance |
Developed in Havana |
| Cha-cha-chá |
Havana (1950s) |
Easy, syncopated ballroom dance |
Invented in Havana |
Mambo
In Cuban music, especially in salsa and son,
the "mambo" section typically refers to a brassy, rhythmically intense instrumental break,
often featuring repetitive horn lines, call-and-response patterns, and building energy toward the climax of a song.
Mambo
In Cuban music, especially in salsa and son,
the "mambo" section typically refers to a brassy, rhythmically intense instrumental break,
often featuring repetitive horn lines, call-and-response patterns, and building energy toward the climax of a song.
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.
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- Oldest of all, Late 1800s
- Clave blanco (Son clave used in yambu)
- Originated in urban areas of Matanzas and Havana
- Not related to religion
- A form of collective culture
Lees meer >The dance involves a flirtatious "chase" between a male and female dancer, with the male attempting a symbolic pelvic thrust called the vacunao,
and the female using body movements to evade or accept it.
Lees meer >The following dances have their origin in Matanzas:
Cuban Dances Originating in Havana
Havana, the cultural heartbeat of Cuba, played a central role in the creation and evolution of several iconic Cuban dances. Some were born directly in the capital, while others were transformed there into the forms we know today.
Lees meer >