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How to Merengue Dance

The Merengue is a Latin ballroom dance with roots in Africa, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. A slight leg drag distinguishes it from other Latin dances. Folklore credits both the limp of a war hero and the walk of slaves joined at the ankle by chains for giving the dance its style. The Merengue has three basic movements. Once you master the movements, you will enjoy dancing them at a fast or slow tempo. The following instructions are written for the male partner.

Things You'll Need

  • Merengue Music - 2/4 or 4/4 beat
  • Dance Area
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Instructions

    • 1

      CLOSED POSITION Stand facing your partner. Place your partner's left hand on your right shoulder. Put your right hand on your partner's waist and hold her right hand in your left hand at eye level with elbows bent, knees relaxed, and weight evenly distributed on both feet.

    • 2

      SIDE BASIC MOVEMENT Moving to the left, step on the left foot on the count of 1. Drag the right foot to the left foot and step on the count of 2. Continue moving to the left four times, counting 12121212. Do not put weight on the last drag step so that you can reverse the step to the right.

    • 3

      FORWARD BASIC MOVEMENT Step forward on the left foot on the count of 1. Drag the right foot to the left foot and step on the count of 2. Continue moving forward four times, counting 12121212. When you move forward, your partner will move backward.

    • 4

      BACK BASIC MOVEMENT Step back on the left foot on the count of 1. Drag the right foot to the left foot and step on the count of 2. Continue moving back four times, counting 12121212. When you move backward, your partner will move forward.

    • 5

      Combine the movements any way you like, taking eight steps, or eight counts, to complete one movement. You may add fundamental ballroom turns within the basic movements.

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