... dancing allows one to express oneself, a sense of unity is found in the dance, dancing provides physical and mental relaxation, and it is a form of exercise. However, much of the social and political meaning is established in a history of conquest and oppression. Merengue specifically originated from African slaves who mimicked the white-upper class dances. Merengue has existed for years in ... Latin America. The Merengue was then introduced into the United States in the New York area, but didn't become popular until several years later. Dance has always been a form to express one's emo...

• Word Count: 1112
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... the Caribbeans most exctic island. Puerto Rico has a rich culture whose origins can be traced back to the Tiano Indians, Spanish and West African roots. Puerto Ricans are very proud people. They use soulful music and exotic drinks to express their love towards Puerto Rico . There are ... are very soulful people. They use music to express the way they feel towards their Island. Puerto Ricos music culture stems from a combination of African percussions and poetry. Salsa is one kind of music that Puerto Ricans use during celebration. According to Vernon W. Boggs the author of "Salsiology: ....

• Word Count: 508
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

... being half Cuban; I saw an opportunity to get better known with my ancestors. Ways I thought would help, were to better learn hablo espanol, and learn to dance the to the rhythm of the music. So when the chance came for me to learn more about music from my father's families past. So I definitely saw ... of cooking the parrot. In the late 1700s men of the Dominican Families would hunt parrots for dinner. After many successful hunts the families would celebrate and dance to Merengue. Accompanying the dancing there were groups of people who would play the instruments. The instruments usuall...

• Word Count: 893
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... different sources. It's been said that Salsa is the music of Puerto Rico. Others talk of its roots in African rhythms, Spanish lyrics, Cuban street bands, Caribbean song and dance styles and Latin American jazz. The roots of Salsa take us back to Cuba. Cuba was the home of diverse ... styles like son and guajira, and the African rhythms of rumba. Salsa is probably the term most often heard in connection ... , and others, such as groups like Proyecto Uno, create new sounds like salsa rap or techno merengue. Salsa is a highly stylized and sophisticated couple dance. The basic foot and hip...

• Word Count: 609
• Approx Pages: 2
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School

... , cypress, cacao, oak trees and pine trees. Some common plants include rice, tobacco, cotton, sugarcane, plantains and others. III-POPULATION A. Population Most of the Dominican population is a mixed Spanish and African descent. 65 percent of society is urban. The population is an estimate of 7,900,000. The country has an overall density of 163 people per square km. The population grows ... by Africa in the music. 1.Music The main form of music in the Dominican Republic is merengue. Merengue is a popular form of music and ballroom dance that originated in the island. The merengue is the ...

• Word Count: 1745
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... voyage in 1492, but later colonizers were brutal, reducing the Taino population from about 1 million to about 500, in 50 years. To ensure adequate labor for plantations, the Spanish brought African slaves to the island beginning in 1503. In the next century, French settlers occupied the western end of the island, which Spain ceded to France in 1697, and which, in ... is 71 years of age for males and 75 years of age for females. Out of all of the births, usually an estimated 35% of the babies die. Music and dance is at the heart of Dominican culture. The most popular form is merengue, wh...

• Word Count: 1000
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School