1. By: Antonio, Javier, Leonardo, & Rafael

2. Origin/Location/Time Period
 Merengue was created by Ñico Lora, a Dominican
of Spanish descent, in the 1920s
 The original Merengue was not danced by couples, but
danced in a circle
 In the Dominican Republic it was promoted by Rafael
Trujillo, (the dictator), and became the country's
national music and dance form

3. Instruments:
 Tambora
 Marimba
 Güiro
 Accordion
 Bongos
 Congas

4. Occasions
 The Festival of Merengue
 Parties
 Celebrations
 Assorted dance events

5. Vocabulary
 Animado – Lively
 Arrastre – Dragging
 El ritmo– Rhythm
 El güiro– A scored gourd-like instrument played with
a music fork or a percussion stick
 El paso– Step
 El estilo – Style

6. Traditional Dress
 No specific dress, however traditional Dominican
Republic clothing is worn, including:
 Bright colors
 Sandals
 Blouses
 Skirts
 Long Pants
 Assorted hats

7. Popular Artists
 Elvis Crespo- a Puerto Rican-American Grammy
Award and Latin Grammy Winner, named "Elvis"
after Elvis Presley
 Celines- Considered one of the best Merengue
performers by Puerto Ricans
 Melina León – A Merengue singer and actress
 Los Principes del Merengue - The first Merengue
and Salsa band in the city of San Diego

8. Associated Dances/Cultural
Comparison
 Ballroom Dance
 Folk Dance
 Salsa
 Bachata

9. Merengue Video