Merengue – Folk Music of the Dominican Republic

Merengue is both a form of music and a style of dance associated with the music form. Its roots trace to the Dominican Republic; Merengue is widely recognized and accepted as the Dominican national dance.

The music can be recognized and specified as a musical style that utilizes a percussive rhythm, usually built upon use of maracas and drums such as the tambora. Choruses are delivered in multiples, usually groups of three; lyrically, merengue has always contained lyrics of a political or sexual nature. Many other additional instruments such as accordion, piano, saxophone and trumpet are also used in the writing and performance of merengue. It’s earliest known appearance in Dominican music dates back to sometime around the Dominican victory at the battle of Talanquera in the war of independence (*1844).

According to history a Dominican soldier named Tomas Torres had abandoned his post during the battle, fearing for his life he fled. The Dominicans ended up emerging from the battle victorious, and during the raucous celebration on the night of the victory the soldiers had taken to mocking Tomas for his cowardice. A song was sung in which the lyrics chided Torres for fleeing; this set of lyrics and the accompanying melody were the first version of merengue music.

Historians regard this tale as nothing more than folklore, but it is a story still told today and it still holds some legitimacy in the context of when and where the musical form and style of Merengue came to be. It is quite likely that the true origin of merengue music has simply been lost in time, and the accepted explanation, with its roots firmly entrenched in Dominican history and identity, has been accepted and passed down through generations as “truth”.

Initially, merengue was widely recognized as the music of the impoverished Dominicans. Its innuendo filled lyrics kept it from becoming a more mainstream or acceptable style of music, thus it was ignored by the upper classes. Mainstream acceptability began to occur in the 1930s as President Rafael Trujilio, raised in poverty and thus barred from the elite dance and social clubs and outlets, was already a fan of merengue and began to implement it as a national symbol.

Lively and spirited dancing usually accompanied the music; this still holds true today. Modern merengue music incorporates contemporary electric instruments as well as a more full bodied reflection of both salsa and rock’n'roll. As a ripple effect of the Dominican migration to America in 1980, merengue gained popularity in Miami and New York City. While not a mainstream style of music or dance, merengue continues to be practiced in specialty clubs and bars all over the world by enthusiasts who are attracted to the music for its lively dancing and upbeat rhythms.

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