The Answer:

The rumba, also spelled "rhumba," is a Latin ballroom dance that traces its origins to Africa and achieved its current form in Cuba. It is based on the Cuban dance called the son.

The rumba was first introduced to the U.S. sometime around 1914. However, the dance's provocative hip movements were considered too sexually suggestive for the time and the dance did not gain acceptance. A refined version of the dance caught on in America in the 1930s.

Couples perform the dance together, emphasizing the dance's hip movements. Steps are typically performed in a square pattern (two quick side steps, one slow forward step), and the routine is most often accompanied by music done on percussion instruments.

Here are links to more information:

• Ballroomdancers.com
• U.S. Dance Companies

—The Editors