History and Characteristics of Merengue
Two theories surround the creation of the national dance of the Dominican Republic, the Merengue. The first theory states that when an injured war hero returned home to the
Dominican Republic, the island natives threw him a huge party. While dancing, the natives felt obligated to imitate the way the war hero dragged his injured leg so as to not embarrass him. The second theory in the dance’s creation involved the slaves. The slaves who were, at that time, shackled to a ball and chain would be forced to cut sugar cane to the beat of a drum.
Merengue music has a constant “scratching” sound in the background and should inspire a marching feeling.
