The Rhythm and Twist of Cuban Rumba

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Cuba’s rich culture and heritage is a melting pot of mixed ancestry and race. As the Spanish came to colonize Cuba, they brought in over a million slaves from Africa to work on the plantations starting in the 16th century until the abolition of slavery in 1886. During those years, African slaves were coerced to assimilate as much as possible into Spanish Cuban society. However, they fortunately had rather creative ways at retaining their own unique culture and identity through their religion Santeria, music, and dance. One of the benefits of the Cuban revolution was the creation of a more equal society. Although racism still exists a little bit it is much less prevalent than in other parts of the world.

Trinidad, one of the most beautiful colonial towns in all of Cuba, has a strong Afro-Cuban culture. One of the highlights of our visit to Trinidad was a live show of Afro-Cuban music and dancing at the Palenque de los Congoes Reales in the heart of Colonial Trinidad. Over tangy mojitos, we enjoyed a live performance of rumba dance to traditional Afro-Cuban music.

Afro-Cuban music is dominated by percussion. Popular percussion instruments include the conga (tumbadora), a large drum laid between the legs and beat rhythmically with the hands, the bongo (two small drums of different sizes linked together), the timbales (two snare drums with cowbells), and the claves (two short sticks). There is also the guiro a grooved gourd that is scraped with a stick, and maracas filled with seeds. (Source: Cuba Like a Local by Peter Greenberg)

Rumba was inspired by a fertility dance of African Bantu origin and its characteristic pelvic movements known as “vacunao” are common throughout the dance. Rumba was created in the poor neighborhoods of Havana and Matanzas at the end of the 19th century and is one of the most common kinds of dance found throughout Cuba along with salsa.

What I loved best was the lively beat of the various types of drums and the vibrant colors of the dancers. At the end they dragged our group onto the floor and taught us a few moves. Those pictures I had to leave out of the post due to pure embarrassment. We obviously did not have the same kind of moves as the locals.

The dance also reenacted scenes from different stories and myths prevalent in Afro-Cuban culture.

The energy of the music and the dance was sensational. It was a great way to be introduced to another dynamic part of Cuban culture and life.

This man was weaving and selling handmade baskets. I couldn’t resist buying one for my home.

This post was inspired by the Weekly Photo Challenge: Twist. Although I tried my best to capture the dancers with their rapid twists and twirls, I discovered that photographing movement is quite difficult.

 

23 thoughts on “The Rhythm and Twist of Cuban Rumba”

  1. Tina Schell – I am passionate about photography, love traveling and exploring new places and faces, and seeing the world from different perspectives. My lens is always on the lookout for something beautiful or interesting.
    Tina Schell on said:

    Wonderful choice. Esp love your first shot.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you Tina! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks!

      Reply ↓

  3. I’d absolutely love to go to Cuba one of these days. My husband is Jamaican so he can travel to Cuba without any restrictions and without having to be a part of a special program. It’s one of my goals to get my Jamaican citizenship in the near future and once I do, I’ll be on the first flight to Havana! I’ve always been fascinated by Cuban culture and I really love these pictures! It’s commendable that Afro-Cubans were able to hold on to some of their African customs.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      That is wonderful! I truly hope that our government gets rid of the ridiculous embargo and also let people travel freely to Cuba. It is over 50 years old! Hope you can get there too! 🙂 I would love to visit Jamaica someday too! 🙂

      Reply ↓
      • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
        thirdeyemom on said:

        Yes! Sounds wonderful!

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      I sure enjoyed dancing in Cuba Leslie! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Janet! It was fun and the best part was dancing with them on stage at the end after an icy cold mojito!

      Reply ↓
  6. Kyle Bell – Canada – I'm just a small town man who loves to write. I didn't come into the writing world to make mills, just to showcase skills. Being the king of Nova Scotia is my handle. My writing dictates, fascinates, and gives a brand new meaning to the word transcendence. Keep a close eye out for the oscillation and versatility of my literary prowess. Treasure Words Publishing is disrupting the industry by storm. I've been writing since a young age; producing supreme mathematics before I could calculate equations. Growing up around a lot of arrogance, ignorance, and turmoil has motivated me to write a real scripture. I take writing very seriously, while doing it under an oath to God--the most high. There is nothing watered down or futile about my pieces of work. Keep reading my work; it will allow you to grow, by making the others around you better from the knowledge you acquire. I'm from the echo-boomers of generation Y, as my voice is heard throughout the supple peaks of the mountaintops. There are vibrations felt consistently through the words that I've written, with a precise vision to captivate my readers into wanting more. A relentless notion is what my prose represents, impacting my readers to make better life decisions--ultimately, living freer than a wild boar, gallivanting through the enchanted forests of nature's humble abyss. The False Reality Of Martin will change the world. It's taking the number one spot worldwide. Stay tuned. If anyone wants to contact me for any given reason; then by all means: feel free to send me a comment, whether positive or negative. I can be contacted via email: beezybop54@hotmail.com
    kbeezyisviral on said:

    I would love to watch something like that. I’m sure it would be a wonderful sight to see. I would really appreciate it if you would check out my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kbeezyisviral

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Will do! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  7. anotherday2paradise – Durban South Africa and Florida USA – I enjoy writing about absolutely anything, and started blogging with WordPress in 2012. This was my 'Hammock Lady' blog, and I really enjoyed sharing my travels here: http://adinparadise.wordpress.com/ In November 2013, I decided it was time for a change of scenery, so I started my blog afresh, and here it is. I love to travel, and have been fortunate enough to do two round-the-world trips and visit more than forty countries so far. This year we visited our 7th continent, Antarctica. I enjoy photographing wildlife, especially in my backyard in Florida. I was born and brought up in England. My husband and I emigrated to South Africa in 1970. We now live in Florida, USA. I have a son and a daughter and five gorgeous grandchildren currently aged between 6 and 21 years. I'm so happy that you've taken the time to visit my blog, and would love for you to join me on my travels. Sylvia.
    anotherday2paradise on said:

    Great pics for the theme, Nicole. I love the vibrant colours of the satin dress, and you last pic is wonderful. Such an art to make beautiful basket work.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sylvia! I enjoyed the costumes so much and realized also how hard it is to capture motion pictures on film! Many didn’t turn out!!!

      Reply ↓
  8. Jo Bryant – New Zealand – I was born in the land of Banjo Paterson, gum trees, and weather extremes. I am a freelance photographer. I love to make images that make people happy. To capture forever a precious moment. I am also a freelance writer/editor. I live in the Bay of Plenty, New Zealand, but still like to claim my Australian heritage. I graduated with a Bachelor of Communications in 2008. I am writing my first novel. I love to write poetry, short stories, and also write for the web. And there is nothing that is on a par with a sunny summer's day spent at Waihi Beach.
    Jo Bryant on said:

    what a terrific look at another interesting aspect of Cuban culture

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Jo! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  9. Sue Slaght – Calgary, Alberta Canada – www.traveltalesoflife.com Many years from now, when I am an old lady sitting in the nursing home, I hope to be the twinkly eyed resident still entertaining anyone who I can corner to listen, about all of the wild adventures attempted in a lifetime. Well into the second half of the game of life there is no time like the present to get out there, live big and laugh a lot. Living in Calgary, Alberta, married to my best friend Dave for over thirty years and Mom to adult children; my decades as a nurse have shown that in a moment life can change completely. Passionate about social justice, volunteerism and not letting the phrase “What would people think?” or my own fear get in the way of trying something new; the possibilities are endless. Enjoy the tales and I hope you will be inspired to try something you have been thinking about doing.
    sueslaght on said:

    I did not know that the Rumba originated in Cuba. Love the colors of the costumes.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Sue! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  10. restlessjo – Hi! I’m Jo! Johanna when I’m feeling posh, Jan to my Dad, and Joasiu to my Polish family. A bit of a mix-up, that’s me. The one constant, however, is my restless nature. I love to travel and to explore our world. It doesn’t have to be the big wide world. I can be ridiculously happy not too far from home, so long as I’m seeking new horizons. Of course I have a wish list, and it was to help me fulfil my dreams that I started to write travel guides for a venture called Simonseeks. I’d always kept a travel diary, and it was hugely satisfying to share my experiences and to make new friends who shared my passion for travel. Alas, Simonseeks hit a few troubles, but I still find myself writing about my travels. I’ve become addicted. I’d love to share them, and to make more friends. So, it has to be a blog- right? Or do I mean- write?
    restlessjo on said:

    That’s got all our toes tapping! 🙂 Like Ad, I especially like that last shot. It looks like he’s making a little horse for a grandchild?

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Jo!!!! 🙂

      Reply ↓

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