According to some historians, the choreography of the Dominican Merengue was originated between 1631 and 1700 as a dance that entertained the pirates of the island Tortuga every night. They called it "the dance of the wooded leg" because of the movements involved.  The Merengue dance is of slave origin, mainly from those belonging to the Bara Tribe from Madagascar. Every Caribbean country gave this dance its own identity, influenced by melodies of European origin. Slaves had to mix their own cultural elements with those of the white people, to the point of imitating the movements of their dances, thereby losing the primitive characteristics that originated Merengue. As time went by, the great mass of slaves integrated to civilian life and they left for us this cultural legacy, almost the only one their condition of slavery would permit them to keep.

Today, the Merengue is a grass roots element and it has become the centrepiece in parties celebrated regularly in any city of the country.  In spite of this, Merengue is also recognised internationally as one of the most popular musical expressions from the Caribbean.

At some point during your vacation there's a good chance you may be asked by some one to dance to Merengue. As this is the island where Merengue was born you should begin to hear its dulcet tones pretty much as soon as you leave the aircraft. There is a good chance that the sound of Merengue will still haunt you as you contemplate your first drink upon your return to your favourite local or your first cup of coffee at Dennys or Tim Horton. Often it is not easy having been brought up on the likes of the Beatles or Rolling Stones to understand the passion that underlies this euphony, however the Dominican people are extremely proud of their music which binds their own generations together. Latin music seems to know no age and often at local Dominican functions you can see the old and the young enjoying the same music and dancing together.

It can be a bit embarrassing to try initially, however it is strongly recommended that you leave your inhibitions behind and just give it a go. If you dance with someone who knows what they're doing you may even surprise yourself!

One final word of advice - they say the secret to dancing Merengue well is found in every single bottle of rum.......somewhere near the bottom! Oh yes nearly forgot too, when you are asked to dance 3 times by a male Dominican he does then have permission to marry you - just thought we'd let you know!