merengue

Merengue is a musical genre and dance that originated in the Dominican Republic in the 19th century and became a symbol of Dominican cultural identity. It developed from a mix of African, European, and indigenous musical elements, and later diversified into several forms. The style spread throughout the Caribbean and Latin America and gained international popularity in the late 20th century. The term can refer to both the music and the dance performed to it.

Musically, merengue typically uses a 2/4 meter with a brisk tempo. The rhythm is built on a steady downbeat with syncopation in the offbeats. The traditional ensemble, known as merengue tipico or perico ripiao, centers on percussion—primarily the tambora drum and the güira—along with accordion. Over time, other instruments such as piano, bass, saxophone, and trumpets were incorporated, especially in big-orchestra forms known as merengue de orquesta.

Two major branches exist: merengue tipico (traditional) and merengue de orquesta (orquesta merengue), with later developments including merengue urbano and modern pop-inspired variants. Merengue remains a dance-driven music, with couples moving in a close hold, performing a basic two-step pattern in 2/4 time and adding spins and turns. The dance is noted for its hip movements and relatively simple steps, which contributed to its popularity in social dancing.

Merengue is the national dance of the Dominican Republic and has produced international stars such as Juan Luis Guerra, Wilfrido Vargas, Elvis Crespo, and Johnny Ventura, who helped popularize the genre beyond the Caribbean. Its global appeal increased with crossover collaborations and fusion with other Latin styles in recent decades.