danzón
Quick Summary
Danzón is a Cuban dance of African origin that gained popularity in Veracruz, Mexico. It emerged in the 19th century and is credited to Miguel Faílde, a Cuban musician.12
The danzón is a couple dance characterized by close partnering and fluid hip sways. Dancers typically maintain a distance of about 4 inches (10 cm) apart, with minimal floor space used and small, sliding steps. The dance structure includes basic steps alternating with "paseos" or "descansos," which are moments for dancers to rest, converse, and observe others.2
This dance form influenced other Latin American dances like the son, mambo, and cha-cha-chá, and is considered a precursor to modern salsa. The danzón also represented a cultural statement of independence and identity for Cuba during its colonial period.2
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
Latin American danceDances of national identity (1800–1940)…the habanera, milonga, maxixe, and danzón. Because pelvic movement was included, whether soft sways as in the Cuban danzón or body-to-body hip grinds and the enlacing of the legs as in the Brazilian maxixe, the early 20th-century couple dances were seen as both titillating and wicked.
Read More…the habanera, milonga, maxixe, and danzón. Because pelvic movement was included, whether soft sways as in the Cuban danzón or body-to-body hip grinds and the enlacing of the legs as in the Brazilian maxixe, the early 20th-century couple dances were seen as both titillating and wicked.
Read More- Latin American danceCuba
The first Cuban danzón is credited to Cuban cornet player Miguel Faílde, who composed “Las Alturas de Simpson” (1879; “Simpson Heights”). Faílde, born of a Spanish father and a mother of mixed African-European descent, began his musical career playing for bailes de color (dances for people of color).…
Read MoreThe first Cuban danzón is credited to Cuban cornet player Miguel Faílde, who composed “Las Alturas de Simpson” (1879; “Simpson Heights”). Faílde, born of a Spanish father and a mother of mixed African-European descent, began his musical career playing for bailes de color (dances for people of color).…
Read More - Latin American danceCuba
Artistically, danzón marked a separation from colonial domination and the emergence of an independent Cuba.
Read MoreArtistically, danzón marked a separation from colonial domination and the emergence of an independent Cuba.
Read More - Latin American danceThe Southern Cone
Like the Cuban danzón and Brazilian maxixe, the dances incorporated close embraces that symbolized and sometimes preceded sexual engagement and thus were inappropriate for middle- and upper-class society.
Read MoreLike the Cuban danzón and Brazilian maxixe, the dances incorporated close embraces that symbolized and sometimes preceded sexual engagement and thus were inappropriate for middle- and upper-class society.
Read More