The History of the Meringue Festival
The Festival del Merengue attracts musicians, dancers and tourists each year to the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic. Considered the national dance of the Dominican Republic, the merengue dance and music has a rich and colorful history which led to this popular celebration. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
-
Origins
-
Finding a specific date for the merengue's origin has, of yet, proven unsuccessful. Best estimates date the merengue genre (music and dance) to somewhere in the mid-1800s. The folkloric dance seems related to the Cuban "UPA" music which arrived in the Dominican Republic via Puerto Rico. Merengue music and dance also has characteristics of African music, possibly due to a Haitian influence.
Controversy
-
Seen as a dance for the lower classes, the merengue fell in and out of popularity for more than 150 years. Upper classes disliked the merengue because of the African influence. The lower class population of the Dominican Republic, however, embraced the dance with a passion.
-
Acceptance
-
Celebrated by popular and educated musicians, the merengue, finally, gained a strong following by the early 1900s. These musicians introduced the merengue music and dance to the ballrooms of the Dominican Republic. Merengue music became defined, around this time, as a three-piece band including a guira (percussion piece), melodeon (similar to an accordion) and a tambora (two-headed drum).
Evolution
-
Learn the merengue today with the knowledge three variations now exist. Partners never separate in ballroom merengue dancing (merengue de salón) which is the universal version. Considered the genuine article, folkloric merengue, however, is found only in rural areas of the Dominican Republic. Merengue de figura represents another variety where the dance partners separate, but remain connected by holding hands.
Festival
-
The government of the Dominican Republic recognized the people's love of the merengue in the late 1980s and endorsed an official, week-long festival to celebrate. The Festival del Merengue arrives annually in the month of October. Merengue lovers across the world travel to Puerta Plata to enjoy non-stop dancing, dominican food and top merengue musicians. Another, smaller, merengue festival occurs each July in Santo Domingo.
-
References
- Photo Credit Couple dancers silhuette vector illustration image by Anton Gvozdikov from Fotolia.com
