Cultural diversity and dance are two themes that are closely related. Every culture has its own means of speech, and ethnic differences make the world richer and more fascinating. When people come together to dance, they can share in the joy, excitement, and beauty of the experience. Around the world, dance is a significant component of many civilizations. Dance is a means of expressing oneself, telling a tale, expressing happiness, or celebrating. Religious rituals, societal events, and everyday life can all include dance. The diversity of dancing is crucial, and when analyzing dance, it is crucial to consider cultural differences. Different musical styles, dance movements, and dance concepts are found in various civilizations. Dance can bring people together and foster awareness in a society where racial, religious, and national differences are common nationality, and dance can be a force for unity and understanding. Cuba and Salsa is the subject I’ve picked for this essay.
The decision was made because Cuba has a rich cultural heritage, reflected in its Salsa music. Cuba has endured a great deal of hardship and yet has such a vibrant culture. That has demonstrated growth in various places of the world. Cuba is a developing nation and might be categorized as a third-world country, but despite this, Cuba has flourished via a variety of artistic manifestations. Therefore, in this paper, Cuba culture and Salsa dance have been chosen to explore Cuba’s traditions, attitudes, religion, and leadership systems and explain how salsa dance reflects culture. I want to describe how all the highlighted topics correlate through the influence of salsa dance which has developed throughout various years and acquired popularity.
Cuba has various rich ethnicities, which are inclined by distinct areas. The Africans’ help has left and essential effect on fiction which has evolved from the Afro-Cuban refrain. The Afro-Cuban rhythm, which was created in the early 20th century, is where Salsa got its start. The rumba started out as a solo dance but quickly changed to a partner dance. Africans have helped to stimulate cultural resistance growth in its musical and religious aspects. Various theories exist to show that African and European origins can coexist in a single event without merging. The toque de violin is a music style built on the clave legacy of Afro-Cuban culture. Cuban music is built on the two-measure rhythmic pattern known as clave. Moreover, the ceremony was developed in Cuba by combining distinct cultures of white Europeans and Black Africans. The practice of the described ceremony shows a repetition of diversity since they influenced the need for Cuba’s religious and musical cultures, which could assist in defining the current identity (Koprivica, 284).
The Cuban attitude distinguishes between different individuals who live in Cuba. However, Cubans’ attitudes are generally pessimistic. Cuba is an economically controlled state, so the regime operates in most places around Cuba. Most Cubans own private businesses and yearn for economic growth, but mass-managed media is limited. Although few Cubans receive foreign media, the poll finds that access consistently distinguishes sentiments among Cubans. Foreign media users are typically younger and more ardent news consumers. They generally have more optimistic sentiments regarding their economic conditions and the economy’s state. They are more prone to criticize some facets of Cuban society, such as its pollution, unemployment, terrorism, access to healthcare, and educational opportunities. Since private mass media ownership is outlawed in Cuba, unbiased news and information flow into and out of the country are restricted. Cubans believe in brotherhood, individuality, and freedom, although politics rule the economy.
Salsa dance mirrors Cuban culture through the religious system. Koprivica (284) stated that salsa dance allows individuals to mingle with heritage in an expressway. Moreover, salsa dance is discussed in the article by Koprivica as an interaction method of sharing culture. Mixtacki (4) say, “A sizable section of the population in Cuba professes Catholicism, a nation with a long history of religious beliefs and customs. The described is reflected in the salsa dance, which frequently uses religious symbolism and themes.” He continues, “Many dancers utilize salsa to connect with their faith, and it is frequently considered a way to connect with one’s spirituality.” Goldenziel (179) stated that salsa dance frequently uses Catholic and Afro-Cuban religious imagery and symbolism, which reflects Cuban culture through religious beliefs in Cuba. For instance, salsa dancers frequently don vividly colored attire that reflects the hues of the Afro-Cuban flag.
Additionally, salsa dancers frequently employ props (Mixtacki, 7). For instance, salsa dancers frequently don vividly colored attire that reflects the hues of the Afro-Cuban flag. Additionally, salsa dancers frequently use Catholic iconographic-inspired props like fans or handkerchiefs. Furthermore, Afro-Cuban rhythms and percussion instruments used in religious rites are frequently included in salsa dancing music.
According to the article by Robin D. Moore, while Salsa is a music genre that Cuban immigrants in the United States developed, the dance expresses Cuban culture through politics in Cuba. The musical style is a fusion of various Cuban musical genres, including mambo, cha-cha-cha, and Cuban son. The musical style known as Salsa is well-liked both in Cuba and the United States. In Cuba and the United States, the salsa dance is well-liked. The native dance of Cuba, the Salsa, has been employed in political agitprop. The salsa dancing unites Cubans and allows them to showcase their culture. Another way to display Cuban nationalism and oppose American cultural colonialism is through the salsa dance.
The Cuban Revolt and the Cuban people’s struggle for liberation and independence are symbolized through the salsa dance. The salsa dance is a representation of Cuban identity and culture. Moore and Robin (27) stated that some utilized Salsa dance to convey their happiness and optimism for the future. Similarly, others used it to show their annoyance and rage at the current state of affairs during the struggle for independence and the Revolt in Cuba. Others used it to foster relationships with others and foster a sense of community (Reaud, 231). Additionally, salsa dancing served as a means of self-expression for Cubans regarding the revolution and their fight for independence.
Conclusively, Cultural diversity and dance are two themes that are closely related. Around the world, dance is a significant component of many civilizations. Dance is a means of expressing oneself, telling a tale, expressing happiness, or celebrating. The Cuban people believe in brotherly, individuality, and freedom, and their minds are determined for economic growth. However, their attitude towards economic growth affects how media allows culture to flow. Salsa dance mirrors Cuban culture through the religious system since it allows individuals to mingle with heritage, which is an expressway. Moreover, the political history in Cuba, which involved revolution and struggle for independence in Cuba, helped in the growth and development of Cuba’s salsa dance.
Works Cited
Bye, Vegard. “Towards the End of Gerontocracy.” Cuba, From Fidel to Raúl and Beyond. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham, 2020. 207-233.
Koprivica, Ana. “THE” TOQUE DE VIOLÍN”: AN EMERGING TRADITION IN CUBA.” International Journal of Cuban Studies (2010): 276-285.
Reaud, Bea. “Examining Cuban Civil Society.” CUBA: In Transition? (2006): 231. “Cuba: Country Profile.” Freedom House, https://freedomhouse.org/country/cuba.
Goldenziel, Jill I. “Sanctioning faith: Religion, state, and US-Cuban relations.” JL & Pol. 25 (2009): 179. “Trip Cuba.” Cuba, https://www.tripcuba.org/religion-and-faith-in-cuba.
Moore, Robin D., and Robin Moore. Music and revolution: Cultural change in socialist Cuba. Vol. 9. Univ of California Press, 2006. https://www.amazon.com/Music-Revolution-African-Diaspora/dp/0520247116.
Mixtacki, Michael. “Timba Drum Set: Performance Practice and Contemporary
Application.” TTU DSpace Home, 1 Aug. 2022, https://ttu-ir.tdl.org/handle/2346/90060.
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