rumba

Rumba is a family of Afro-Cuban music and dance forms that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries among urban Afro-Cuban communities, notably in Havana and the surrounding Matanzas region. The term can refer to a musical genre, a set of dances, or the social activities surrounding them. As a cultural expression, rumba embodies Afro-Cuban rhythms, percussion-driven sound, and communal performance.

In Cuba, rumba denotes several related dance styles performed to percussion-led music. The principal forms are Guaguancó, Yambú, and Columbia. Guaguancó is a couples dance featuring a courtship interaction between a male and a female dancer, with percussive prompts and a stylized pursuit. Yambú is slower and associated with older dancers, emphasizing restrained movement and subtle phrasing. Columbia is a fast, virtuosic male solo known for intricate footwork and improvisation. Musically, rumba ensembles rely on polyrhythmic percussion—congas, hand drums, claves—and call-and-response singing, often anchored by a clave pattern.

In Western ballroom dancing, rumba is one of the International Latin dances. It draws on Afro-Cuban rumba traditions but is codified for competition and social dancing. The style features a slow-quick-quick rhythm, pronounced hip movement, and a compact, grounded look. Basic steps use a closed position and a cross-body lead, with controlled weight transfers and smooth, deliberate timing. Tempos commonly fall in the 95–105 BPM range, though interpretation varies.

Rumba has influenced Latin music worldwide and is regarded as a key element of Afro-C Cuban cultural heritage. Its rhythms and movements have shaped related genres, including salsa, and remain popular in both social and performance contexts.