As is typical of many Caribbean islands, folk dance in Puerto Rico developed from African and European (Spanish) traditions. Forms include:
- seis - Similar to contradance, seis developed in rural, European, communities. It is accompanied by the stringed cuatro playing music showing the Moorish influence on Spain.
- bomba - Bomba developed in West African communities. It is accompanied by drums, with the dancers in dialog with the percussionist. Women dancers wear long, ruffled skirts in bright solid colors, supposedly in imitation/ridicule of the dresses worn by European women at their more formal dances.
- plena - Little more than 100 years old, plena blends Spanish and African heritage. It is typically accompanied by tambourines without cymbals and by hand drums. Dancers wear "country" finery - women in ruffled, flowered, knee-length skirts, men in black trousers, white shirts, and panama hats.
Related categories 3
Sites 3
- Puerto Rican Folkloric Dance Austin, Texas. Details about classes, performances, and company history, plus a list of references and resources for Puerto Rican dance and culture.
- Don Rafael Cepeda Atiles School San Juan. Brief overview of dance and percussion classes, and of the Cimiento de Puerto Rico dance troop. [English/Spanish]
- Danza Fiesta - Baile y Teatro Puertorriqueño A New York City based Puerto Rican and Latin American folk dance and theater company. Part of the non-profit organization Diveristy in Arts and Nations for Cultural Education, Inc (D.A.N.C.E.). With history, member information, picture gallery and information on events and classes.