Merengue Dance History

There were two dances combined in Merengue, which were African and French Minuet from the late 1700’s- early 1800’s. In addition, the original Meringues was not danced by individual couples but a circle dance. At that time, each man and woman faced each other and holding hands at arm’s length. However, they did not holding each other closely like today we do. The original movements for this dancing was only shaking the showers and swift movement of the feet, and they didn't move the hips (Austeritz, 2013). Nowadays, when partners dancing merengue, they use to hold each other in a closed position. For leader, he holds the follower’s waist with his right hand, and uses his left hand to holding follower’s right hand at follower’s eye level. Partners bend their knees slightly left and right, during making the hips move left and right. …show more content…
And also, Mass media contributed to the growth of a Dominican national identity which makes a lot of people get to know about this country by Merengue. Newspaper or magazine introduce Merengue to readers which provide an out view about this dance for the society. Furthermore, radio or seeing Merengue on television is a good way to hear or see the visual action of Merengue. It is an important way to promote this dancing to all around the world. For example, in movie” My Blue Heaven’’, it describes a comedy with a really good dance sequence it, and it is just happened to be the Merengue. Moreover, every scene in this movie is bound to a section that people are dancing Merengue somewhere. That movie promote Merengue to the audiences that they can dance Merengue everywhere, follow the steps, and follow the heart. Merengue can help people free up to be creative and do all kind of things follow your body. That is what makes Merengue alive. In addition, mass media promote Merengue’ cultural, steps, and routine all around the world, which give Merengue invaluable nationwide