Bachata

                Bachata developed in the Dominican Republic around the 1960s. The name may refer to two things: partying/having fun or trash. Although, one might consider that the calling a dance trash has a negative connotation; actually, the roots for the denomination is rather deductive. Arriving home after a long day, rural workers let the steam out by dancing and playing music. On many occasions they utilized items found around the house as musical instruments like cans or the fence. That is why the music and the dance itself could have been labeled “trash”. However, this genre was despised by higher society because its roots. Moreover, they considered it offensive due to its intimacy. Later, with the deteriorating living situations of the lower-classes, Bachata’s reputation decayed rapidly. It was only in the 1990s that the middle-class became interested in the genre and that is how it started it gained a better reputation and started to spread all over the world. 

          Coming from a Latin American country, the fundamental musical instrument is the guitar:  “Bachata musicians drew upon the Cuban bolero, Mexican rancheros and corridos, Cuban son, guaracha and guajira, Puerto Rican plena and jibaro music, and the Colombian-Ecuadorian vals campesino and pasillo- as well as the Dominican merengue, which was originally guitar-based” (2step2.net). On of the most well-known musicians of the Bachata is José Manuel Calderón who is thought to be the first to record Bachata in his singles “Borracho de amor” and “Condena”.

 

          The position of the dancers is closer than in other dances. So, I would advise you to choose a partner carefully. The right partner would be someone who you emotionally confide in and who you let to lead. I observed two problematic of partner choice: 1.) The female might be reserved and distant, so the fusion of the couple in the dance cannot happen and the dance becomes spasmodic. 2.) Sometimes the female gives in to the leading male and it looks like the man is dragging his partner through the dance floor. You have to keep in mind that you must be open to the man’s guiding, but you have to focus on moving consciously without letting him dominate you.

 

 

          The dance itself is really sensual and sexual as well due to the hip movements, huddling, and leaning backs. As mentioned in an earlier post on Rumba and Salsa, the eye-catching and erotic movement of the hips can be achieved by shifting the balance from one leg to the other or by bending one whole extending the other knee. Also, if you want to improve your hip’s mobility you could exercise on the hula-hoop regularly, which, as a bonus, burns the muffin top too.

 

          The slogan of Bachata in my phrasing would be:  

 

 Want some hot nights with your partner? Try Bachata!