The rumba originated in the black communities of Cuba during the 1890s, according to Romero's "The History of Rumba Dancing." The dance spread quickly and, by the time of Prohibition in the U.S., Romero writes that "a form of rumba called American Rumba was performed in conjunction with crude short plays that featured racial stereotypes." As the rumba grew in popularity, its sexual overtones were slowly downplayed. According to Romero, "Because hip movements were considered a black or Latino invention in the United States, many of them were reduced or eliminated to make the dance more appealing to a white audience." Today, however, Romero claims that a return to the more authentic "Cuban style" is considered desirable.
Rumba music is written in 4/4 time, meaning there are four beats per measure, and is performed at a slow pace---the second slowest of all Latin dances at only about 104 to 108 beats per minute according to Robert Romero's "The History of Rumba Dancing." Though there are four beats per measure, dancers only take three steps per measure, placing their first step on the first beat but not actually stepping (or transferring weight) until the second beat, according to The Dance Store Online.
Though today the rumba is danced around the globe, there are distinct differences between the "American rumba" and the "International rumba." According to "International versus American Style Ballroom," the steps of each style differ; while American rumba steps on beats 1, 3 and 4, International rumba steps on beats 2, 3 and 4. Additionally, that same article reports that American rumba dancers step onto a bent leg, while International dancers step onto a straight one.
The rumba requires three steps per every four beats; in American rumba, these steps are typically referred to as slow, quick, quick according to Robert Romero's "The History of Rumba Dancing." The slow step begins on the first count of each measure but weight is not transferred until the second count, according to The Dance Store Online. According to the Dance Store Online, every step should be taken with the inside edge of the foot with the knee bent; as weight is transferred, the heel lowers, the knee straightens and the hips move sideways naturally.
According to "The History of Rumba Dancing," the rumba can be broken down into three different styles: Rumba Yambu, Rumba Guaguanaco and Rumba Columbia. Rumba Yambu is the slowest and also the "oldest known style of rumba," according to IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance and Music, and is generally danced solo by females. Meanwhile, Rumba Guaguanaco is faster than Rumba Yambu and more flirtatious than the other two styles, making use of handkerchiefs and movements expressive of touch and sexual contact, according to IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance and Music. The third style of rumba, Rumba Columbia, is traditionally danced by solo males in a competition "with other male dancers to display agility and strength," according to IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance and Music.