Cumbia: An Expressive Latin Dance
The Cumbia, a dance much like Salsa, is a source of great pride for individuals of Colombian heritage. This type of dance is very expressive of the way of life and culture of Colombia, adhering the cultures of African, European, and indigenous Colombian peoples. Dance is all about self-expression and is a source of pride and art for cultures all over the world. At Dance FX Studios, we take interest in how much dances and their rich histories really mean. In today’s hectic world, we can take dance and turn it into something personal and expressive for ourselves. Our studio has been showing students the beauty of numerous dance types for over a decade! Latin dances are especially wonderful for self-expression and releasing your creative, wilder side. The sexy Salsa, exciting Bachata, and playful Cumbia are all wonderful sources to consider. Since learning about and respecting the story of every type of dance is important, let’s discover more about the Cumbia, one of many exciting Latin dances that we offer!
Traditional Cumbia music is influenced by three interesting cultures, allowing for each culture to shine through in special way. The rhythm of the drums of Cumbia music comes from the influence of African cultures. Wind instruments, especially flutes, chime in, reflecting Indigenous influence. Melodies, costumes, and choreography are thanks to European influence. The word Cumbia derives from the African word “cumbe”, which means dance, and the origin of Cumbia music comes from the days of slavery in the 1600s. Slaves from West Africa brought dance traditions with them to Latin America, one of which was of men vying for female attention by dancing in front of women. It is believed that this style has influenced the birth of Cumbia. Where exactly Cumbia was created has been debated, as the birth places of most dances usually are. One thing for certain is that Cumbia arose from a cultural mix of African and Indigenous roots. One suggestion is that Cumbia was born in indigenous country somewhere around the region Pocabuy Banco or Magdalena. Others argue that Cumbia must have been born in Cienaga (Magdalena) or Soledad (Atlántico). The only sure thing is that it was near the settlements of African descendants, brought as slaves to Colombia. The popularity of Cumbia music rose in the 1950s and 60s, and today in Mexico, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, young artists and dancers are embracing the style of music and dance again. Some are striving to preserve its traditional sound and steps, whereas others are putting their own spin on old traditions, incorporating non-traditional instruments and bringing the influences of other cultures to it.
Dance has proven to be a powerful source of creativity and self-expression all over the world! You can join the fun with lessons at Dance FX Studios in Mesa, AZ. We are located just off of Price Freeway on the Southeast corner of Dobson and Guadalupe. Our Introductory Offer is a great way to see what types of dances, like the fun Latin dances or maybe some Country styles, will get you moving. You will have an entire hour with your instructor to discuss this and get out on the dance floor to start learning and having FUN! Give us a call at 480.968.6177 or stop by today to get started today.
