Bachata: A Dance of Love

What’s the first thing you want to do after a hard day at work? Dance?! This was the Dominican Republic’s surprising answer. Created by servants, bachata was known as a celebratory dance that would occur after being released from daily duties. Dancers would perform to music that was made by everyday objects that participants could get a hold of—garbage cans, fences, pipes or anything that was readily available. The dance style’s name comes from this collection of trash which was initially used to create the music to dance to. (Later, these makeshift instruments would be replaced with the guitar.)

As bachata gained popularity, it was often found in bars and brothels. These associations made the dance style a very taboo topic. The Trujillo Government all but nearly wiped out the dance in the 50’s. While Rafael Trujillo supported Merengue dance, a major influence for bachata, the censorship of bachata was enforced due to it being seen as a lowly form of dance which was looked down upon by the upper class. After the 30 year reign ended, the dance had only a small remaining group of followers. Nevertheless in the 80’s bachata made a strong comeback and became overwhelmingly popular.

Today bachata is known as a warm and romantic dance form. The harmonious and intimate movements within the steps draw many people to fall in love with it. The dance also now has multiple different forms, including traditional, moderna, urban, tango, as well as the original dominica bachata. Each of these different versions all carry the same basics steps but have also had different techniques integrated in, according to the dancers of the area. This really gives bachata its unique flair! If you are ready to try it out private lessons are a great way to learn the ins and outs of this beautiful dance.