What Is The Conga Dance?

 A Conga line is a staple of any house party. The vibrant energy and just pure entertainment it provides are perfect for livening up the atmosphere.

But have you ever wondered about the origins of the Conga dance? Why does it have a line shape? Where does it come from?

Trust us when we say that the history of this dance is a lot more interesting than it may seem on the surface. 

In this article, we will delve into the fascinating history of the Conga dance, tracing its roots back to its origins and exploring how it has evolved over time!

What Is The Conga Dance?

The Conga dance is usually performed in a big group, with Conga dancers forming a line and following a leader in a circular motion around the dance floor. As they do, they’ll dance and jump to the rhythm of the music.

The lively movements and the emphasis on group dancing is the reason why the Conga dance has become so popular at house parties everywhere. When you take a look at it, it’s the perfect party dance!

Conga Dance Origin & History

Originally, the Conga dance is an Afro-Cuban dance. The original version of the dance is believed to have been brought over to the West Indies (near the Caribbean) by African slaves. 

Later, the dance grew to become a popular street dance in Cuba. Notably, it was used by Cuban politicians at the time to court attention from the public as they run for positions in the newly-formed Cuban republic.

However, from the 1920s to the early 1930s, under Gerardo Machado, the government briefly banned the Conga dance since people would get so worked up while dancing that they would start a street fight.

The ban was reversed in the 1940s by Fulgencio Batista, who permitted Cubans to form Conga lines during elections but only with a police permit.

Check more: Where Did The Tutting Dance Originate?

How Conga dance got popular in the Western

But the Conga dance wasn’t just popular in Cuba. It was imported into the US in around the 1930s and became a huge hit across the whole nation. 

The dance became even more popular when Hollywood picked it up. You can find Conga dancing scenes in classics like Too Many Girls (1940) and It Started with Eve (1941).

It’s no wonder that the Conga line was popular. After all, with its simple arrangement and easy one-to-three-bump rhythm, anyone can join the Conga line like a pro after just a couple of minutes of watching others do it.

The first place that the Conga dance took hold in the US was New York City. In 1929, the La Conga nightclub was opened in Manhattan. Around a decade later in 1937, the Conga dance is already well-known among the population in the city (and elsewhere.)

The Importance Of Conga Dance

The Conga dance may look like good fun, but what it represents is a lot more solemn and serious. The dance was part of the religion of African slaves, and it was their way of celebrating success and expending the frustration in their lives.

Since it’s a line-shaped dance, a Conga line has also come to represent unity. In 1965, for example, a group of African-American women made a Conga line during a civil rights demonstration in Selma, Alabama as they protested the mistreatment of African-Americans in society.

And to the country of Cuba, the Conga dance is considered one of the most successful cultural exports of Cuba. 

Unlike other dances such as mambo or salsa, the Conga is a lot simpler and doesn’t have the difficult polyrhythmic nature of the other dances. It made Cuban music and dances a lot more accessible to the international audience beyond the island nation.

Conga Dance Steps

The Conga dance style is distinct from other Latin dances in several ways. As we said earlier, it doesn’t have the complex polyrhythm that’s found in other dances.

Instead, the Conga is characterized by a distinctive rhythm produced by the Conga drum that resembles a march. It’s because of this consistent, march-like rhythm that makes the Conga really easy to dance to for beginners.

The beat is a syncopated 4/4 rhythm, delivered by drums or shakers. Dancers take three shuffle steps on the first three beats of the measure, then perform a delayed touch with the foot to either side of the direction in which the line of dancers is moving.

Although the Conga is commonly performed in a long, single-file line, it can also be danced with a partner.

In the line formation, dancers place their hands on the waist of the person in front of them, and the line zigzags through the room.

With a partner, the couple faces each other and moves in opposite directions, both partners moving to their right and then reversing directions.

Source: Wikipedia.org

The most important job that everyone in the line has to do is to keep the line straight and unbroken. So, take small steps while you’re dancing and kicking to the side, rather than in front or backward.

By keeping your movements as small as possible, you’ll lessen the risk of the Conga line breaking apart.

Conga lines always have the leader in front who will lead the line around the room. Other than having a good sense of rhythm, they should also be familiar with the room’s layout to ensure a smooth and seamless dance experience.

Typically, the Conga line lasts only around a minute or two before dancers start breaking away from the line. When everyone does, don’t hold back and break away!

Conga Dance Music & Instruments

The Conga dance is closely tied to the Conga drum, a tall and narrow drum that originated in Cuba.

Traditionally, conga drums were played in trios, with the smallest drum known as the Quinto, used as a solo instrument to introduce new rhythms. The middle-sized conga, also known as the Tresgolpes, and the larger Tumba, provided the base rhythms. 

In modern Conga music, the beat is often kept by a musician leader at the start of the line, who plays a pair of bongos.

The Conga dance songs are characterized by the use of percussion instruments, with the Conga drum taking center stage. Bongos, claves, and shakers are also used to create the infectious beat that drives the dance line around the room.

Final Words

Originating from Cuba, the Conga dance is a joyful celebration of life, music, and dancing. With its distinct rhythm, fun spirit, and how it requires people to come and interact with one another, the Conga dance is the perfect party mixer.

We hope this article has given you a better understanding of what this great dance is all about!

What’s your favorite part about being in a Conga line dance? Tell us in the comments!

Source: https://citydance.org/where-did-the-conga-dance-originate/