History of Salsa Part I. Cuba, 1790-1928

"Danzon" is one of the many roots of what we know as Salsa dance today. Contra Danze (Country Dance) from England, was "imported" by the French who fled the Haitian Revolution in the 1790s to Cuba, where it become one of the original "ingredients" of what eventually became known worldwide as "Salsa" Danzon was once known as the "official" dance of Cuba, and although it is no longer widely danced there, it survives in Mexico.




It is hard to believe today, but Danzon was once considered a "scandalous" dance. If you would like to learn more about Danzon, check this link on Wikipedia.

Cuban Rumba: Yambú, Guanguanco and Colombia

Guanguanco is one of the Cuban Rumbas, and another influence on modern "Salsa" dance and music originated in Africa, most notedly from the Bantu "Yuka" dance.Following is  this video of a traditional Somali Bantu dance (Yuka is now extinct)  and a cuban Guanguanco performance, see if you find the similarities and differences.







Rumba Colombia Cubana (not to be mistaken for Colombian Salsa)



Yambú



Son Cubana (Cuban Son)

Cuban Son, another "ingredient" of the original Salsa, is a relatively "recent" music and dance,  developed in the early 1900, reached Havana around 1910, and went "international" around 1930. Cuban son, has its roots in Spanish (Gypsy) Guitar and Cancion and the aforementioned African and Afro Cuban music and dance.  Cuban Son is believed to be a pivotal in "mainstreaming", linking Afro Cuban influences and the dances of "higher society".


It is often believed, that Salsa (or what eventually evolved into modern Salsa music and dance) was first "discovered" and exported from Cuba to the USA during the years of prohibition in the 1930s and 1940s. However, Cuban Son reached Europe first; through radio broadcasts, in 1928  El Mancinero, performed here by Don Azpiau in 1930, became the first international hit, and was wildly popular in Europe, especially in France.



In the 1930s and 1840s, Cuban rythms reached (some would say, invaded) the United States, starting the second chapter in the History of Salsa.