Conqueror Of Cuba For Spain

. Historical Background
A. In 1492 Christopher Columbus claimed Cuba for Spain
B. Role of Conqueror of Cuba was taken over by Diego Velazquez for Spanish government.
C. Large-scale slave trade began in Cuba.
D. In 1592 Havana was named capital.
E. The “Ten Year War” between Cuba and Spain turned into the “Great Thirty Years War”.
F. Cuba gained formal independence on May 20th, 1902.
G. In 1925 President General Gerardo Machado became dictator of Cuba.
H. Fidel Castro declared himself premier over Cuba in 1959.
I. Today Cuba is a very diverse country due to slaves being brought in from various parts of the world.

II. Cultural Background
A. Languages
1. Spanish
a.) It is a different Spanish then you would find in Spain or Mexico
b.) They
Africa
1. Slaves were brought from Africa to Cuba and brought their culture and musical styles.
2. Africans greatly enriched the vocabulary and contributed to the accent of Cuban speech.
C. Food
1. Spain and Africa have contributed the most to Cuban food.
2. It is rare that hot spices are used.
3. Most common meals are made with pork, chicken, rice, beans, tomatoes and lettuce.
D. Carnival
1. There is a Carnival held in Santiago and in Havana
2. They will dance; have a parade and lots of food.
E. Music
1. Cuban music is influenced by West African and European (mostly Spanish) music.
2. Combines Spanish guitar, melody, harmony and the Afro-Cuban percussion and rhythms.
3. Sometimes the music and dance forms have the same name like the mambo and the Danzón.
4. Today the music intermixes sounds, types and genres of music to make different sounds.
F. Dances
1. The types of dances are Danzón, Cha-Cha-Cha, Salsa, Bolero, Mambo, Son, Rumba, Habanera and Conga.
a.)
2. A lot of the time one type of dance influences another such as Salsa coming from the Cha-Cha-Cha and that coming from the Danzón.

III. Danzón
A. History
1. Miguel Failde developed the dance in 1879.
2. The first Danzón piece was “Las Alturas de
Attire
1. Women’s Attire
a.) Light cotton/ linen dress.
b.) Sometimes the dress can be a vibrant color
c.) It can have some embroidering or beading.
d.) Shoes are usually low heels.
e.) Hair accessories and fans can be used.
f.) Modern women sometimes stray from this and use tighter fitting more modern dresses.
2. Men’s Attire
a.) Trousers or slacks
b.) Guayabera shirt- light cotton
c.) Low heeled boots/ dress shoes
d.) Sometimes they wear hats
D. Movement Qualities
1. Close up couples dance with soft sways
2. Alternates between 8 measure basic steps and rests
3. Allows dancers to stop, listen to the orchestra, converse and watch others
4. Similar to African Tango rhythm

IV. Mambo
A. History
1.Word comes from African descent that means “conversation with the Gods.”
2. In 1938, Oresta Lopez composed a Danzón piece named Mambo B. Attire and Practical Function 1. Attire is really similar to Danzón. 2. Fun and a way to express oneself. C. Movement Qualities 1. The dance includes rock and side steps, “quick- quick- slow” steps 2. It includes kicks, flicks of the feet and heavy hip movements. 3. Multi-unit 4. Usually accompanied by big mambo