How is Dominican merengue danced outside the ballroom?

When danced outside the ballroom, the Dominican merengue is considered to be at its freest. As a rural folk dance, it is characterized by a limping step in which the dancer’s weight remains on the same foot throughout the movement.1

While the ballroom version of the dance became structured into three distinct sections—the paseo, the merengue proper, and the jaleo—the informal, non-ballroom style allows for greater spontaneity. Historically, the dance has evolved significantly; while it was once branded as obscene and faced social stigma, it eventually became a symbol of national pride and resistance. By the 1930s, the dance structure was further simplified into a one-step or walking step, making it accessible to everyone regardless of their skill level.12