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Colombian Cumbia (dance)

Cumbia is a courtship dance with African and Indigenous Colombian origins. It originated in the 1800s during Spain's colonial rule of the region when the slave trade was prevalent in Colombia’s Caribbean coastal regions. The interactions between the Afro-Colombian population and the Indigenous peoples along with the influence of the Spanish culture led to a fusion of the three cultures. Cumbia dance and music resulted from this integration of the European, African and indigenous cultures. It is intended to be danced in pairs of men and women. However, for performances it can be danced by women alone.

Basic Movements
Cumbia is characterized by its circular motion. During this courtship dance, the man tries to win over the woman's affection. Women use their skirts to flirt with the men and also to create a distance in a coquettish manner. The feet are kept close together while dancing representative of the limited movement of the slaves because of the shackles on their ankles. Thus, traveling occurs incrementally by taking small steps.

While dancing the men lead with one foot (typically the left). This foot is placed flat on the ground and weight is put on it. The other foot (typically the right) follows the leading one and weight is only placed on the ball of this foot so that the heel remains raised.

Women typically have both feet flat on the ground and in parallel with no more than 10 inches in between. They proceed taking small steps where one foot (typically the right one) follows the other (the left). Women sway their hips from the left to the right to the beat of music. The focus of their chest and face is upwards and out. The women use of their large layered skirt is central element of the dance. Their hands hold on to end of the skirt on both sides and grandiose arms movements create waves in the skirt and allow it flow.

Outfits & Costuming
Cumbia is typically danced barefoot. The men usually wear white shirts and pants, a bandana and a sombrero vueltiao. They use the sombrero to fan the women. The women wear long layered skirts that reach the ankles and typically flower in their hair. The women’s outfit is particularly iconic and representative of this dance form. Much of the women’s movement is involves using her hands to sway her skirt in different orientations to entice the men.

Candles
Candles or small torches are often used. They can be used by the women to shoo men away. They were originally used to provide light when dancing at ceremonies at night.

Sombrero Vueltiao
As mentioned before, men typically are the one who wear a sombrero vueltiao. It is not uncommon for the woman to take the hat away in a flirtatious way to obtain attention from the man. The hat can also be placed on the floor and danced around by the couple.

Mochila
It is also common for men to wear a mochila, or a woven bag with a shoulder strap that usually sits by the hip. These bags were used by slaves in everyday labor in agricultural work for gathering and such.