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The Merengue is very popular in the Dominican Republic and is the National dance in the country.
There are 2 popular versions of the of the origin of the Dominican national dance, the Merengue. One story says the dance originated with slaves who were chained together and, of necessity, were forced to drag one leg as they cut sugar to the beat of drums. The second story says that a great hero was wounded in the leg during one of the many revolutions in the Dominican Republic. A party of villagers welcomed him home with a victory celebration and, out of sympathy, everyone dancing felt obliged to limp and drag one foot.
Merengue is a combination of two dances, the African and the French Minuet, from the late 1700's - early 1800's. The black slaves saw the ballroom dances in the Big Houses and when they had their own festivities started mimicking the "masters' dances".
Man's Steps
Step1
Stand opposite man's partner.
Step2
Place man right hand high on his partner's waist.
Step3
Extend his left hand to chest height with his elbow bent and his palm raised.
Step4
Grasp man's partner's hand in a loose grip.
Step5
Place his feet shoulder width apart.
Step6
Bend his legs slightly.
Step7
Lift his feet to the beat of the music. Drag or shuffle his feet slightly.
Step8
Move man's hips to the beat of the music.
Woman's Step
Step1
Follow the leader.
Step2
Place her left hand on her partner's shoulder.
Step3
Place woman's right hand in her partner's outstretched hand.
Step4
Step forward when her partner steps back.
Step5
Step back when her partner steps forward.
Step6
Mirror her partner's moves as he makes his steps.
