THE GENESIS OF CULTURAL PRACTICES IN THE AMERICAS: THE EVOLUTION OF DANCE FROM PRIMITIVE RITUALS TO THE LATIN AMERICAN BALLROOM PROGRAM

Abstract

The research aims to comprehensively analyze and trace the evolutionary trajectory of dance practices on the American continent, beginning from their primitive ritualistic forms and culminating in the establishment and development of the Latin American Ballroom Program. This involves identifying the key stages, cultural influences, and sociocultural transformations that shaped these phenomena.
Results. This article investigates the genesis of dance practices across the American continent, tracing the path from the primitive rituals of indigenous peoples to the formation and development of the Latin American Ballroom Program. The study analyzes key stages in the evolution of these dance practices, including the Pre-Columbian era with its sacred dances, the period of European colonization and African slavery that led to cultural synthesis and creolization, and the subsequent transformation of folk styles into standardized ballroom forms. The article reveals the sociocultural significance of dance as a reflection of identity, a means of communication, and a tool for social interaction within the dynamic cultural landscape of the Americas.
Novelty.The investigation into the genesis of cultural practices in the Americas through the lens of dance evolution clearly demonstrates that this art form is a condensed reflection of the continent's historical processes. Dance has journeyed from the sacred practices of indigenous peoples, who used it as a means of connecting with the cosmos, political resistance, and knowledge transfer, to a globally standardized sports discipline. The era of colonization and the transatlantic slave trade was a pivotal point. In this «crucible», a unique fusion of European formalization, African rhythmic energy, and Indigenous spiritual traditions occurred. Dances such as the tango, samba, and rumba originated among marginalized groups as a life-affirming mechanism for preserving identity and non-verbal communication. The subsequent phase, led by international organizations (WDSF, WDC), transformed these free, improvisational forms into a technically complex, codified ballroom program. This secured the dance's global popularity and recognition as a sport.
Crucially, this evolution involved a significant axiological transformation: dance, which once served as a means of social unity and religious experience, became an object of competition and commercialization.
The practical significance. For dancers, choreographers, teachers, and dance researchers, understanding the historical development and cultural roots of Latin American ballroom dancing enriches their performance, teaching, and interpretation, allowing them to delve deeper into the aesthetics and meanings of each dance.