Cumbia en San Jacinto

Cumbia en San Jacinto, originally uploaded by Lucia Rojas.

Cumbia is a Colombian musical style and folk dance that is considered to be representative of the country. Cumbia began as a courtship dance practiced among the slave population in hidden places away from their owners. In San Jacinto, The way the cumbia is danced is probably one of the purest of the country. The woman is always very dignified representing the indigenous side, and the man has much more of a hot-party role representing the black side. Traditionally the woman will hold a candle, because the places were they used to hide to dance were very dark... Feet are always dragged on the floor, because the slaves had chains on their feet, which didn't allow them to properly move.

In the dance the man is trying to court the woman, and the woman sort of flirts back, but never gives in completely... you never touch each other in the Cumbia...but when you are properly dancing it, you should never take your eyes of your partner... and you get very close without ever touching. (I find it extremely sensual ;) )