(VOVworld) - Cuba's rumba dance has been added to UNESCO's list of "intangible" heritages of humankind. Rumba dance, which began in Africa and Spain, has flourished in Cuba. It’s considered a signature dance of Cuba which protects cultural diversity based on mutual respect.
Cuba’s Rumba dance was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of mankind at UNESCO’s meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa. UNESCO said the dance has been a major symbol of Cuban society and identity, acting as an expression of self-esteem and resistance and a tool for social outreach, helping to enrich the lives of practising communities. The dances and chants evoke a sense of grace, sensuality, and joy that connects people, regardless of their social and economic background, gender, ethnicity, or geography.
The music and movements of Rumba in Cuba are mainly associated with African culture but also feature elements of Antillean culture and Spanish flamenco. Historically, Rumba in Cuba developed in Havana in the 19th century. Around 1928 and 1929 the actual steps and figures of this dance were not clear. After World War II the Rumba was further developed into the "Cuban Rumba". Initially, the Rumba dance imitated bird and animal movements. The motions of the shoulders and hips recreate the gestures of slaves carrying heavy burdens. Percussion instruments, often simply utensils from home or work, are part of the practice.
Rumba dance spread to other Caribbean islands and places in Latin America. It entered the US in 1930. British dancer Pierre Lavelle came to know Rumba dance when he visited Havana in 1947. He popularized it in Britain with some variations and called it Cuban Rumba, which is the foundation of Rumba worldwide. Rumba has since become standardized worldwide and is seen as a dance of romance and love.