Merengue
Merengue is a musical style and dance typical of the Dominican Republic. This upbeat 2/4 rhythm, danced in couples (no side-stepping), is one of the most well-known cultural symbols of the Dominican Republic. Classic merengue uses the accordion (tibia), tambora (drum) and metal güira.
Typical merengue (merengue típico) was popularized by orchestras like that of El Merengue de la Raza and Juan Luis Guerra (who modernized the style with l’ha-ha-ha and poetic lyrics). Figures like Salomé de la Rosa and Johnny Pacheco (who also played with Fania) contributed to its popularization.
Dominican merengue has been inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list since 2016. It has influenced Latin music in general and salsa.
