Cuban Salsa

There is no doubt as to its place and date of origin: salsa originated in Cuba in the early 1900s. It derives from the Son, but incorporates important elements from other dances, such as the bolero, merengue, guaracha, conga, cumbia and rumba. Compared to Son, it has a faster tempo whilst retaining its function as a courtship dance.

The syncopated rhythm has been present from the very beginning; over the years, however, the tempo has increased and dozens of moves borrowed from other dances have been incorporated. In addition to the usual percussion instruments used in other Caribbean dances, modern instruments such as electric guitars, drum kits and pianos have been introduced in recent times.

Cuban salsa is therefore a dance with a long-established history: it is described as ‘Caribbean’ because it draws on the musical traditions of many countries in Central and South America. However, the stylistic elements that characterise this dance today derive from various countries and cultures, with the USA leading the way. Precisely for this reason, the debate over the need to protect it from the trend towards cultural fusion is more heated and more relevant than ever.

There are those who would like to see it return to the spontaneity and improvisation of its origins. There are those who argue that, if this were to happen, Cuban salsa would be reduced to a product of Caribbean folklore – albeit a significant one – but one lacking international appeal.

There is little to say or make up about the meaning of the word “salsa”. In Spanish, this term – which is feminine in gender – has the same culinary meaning as it does in our language: a concoction. Some say it is legitimate to associate it with the term ‘spicy’, precisely in keeping with the spirit of the dance itself, which aims to remain unique.

It represents the most explosive blend one could possibly create from the many significant Latin American and Caribbean elements in terms of music and choreography. Consequently, the word and the concept cannot help but be associated with the connotation of a combination of strong ingredients, the flavour of which leaves a lasting impression.