The dance that we call salsa at present is the result of the musical and cultural heritage of several centuries, deeply rooted in the Latin-American and Caribbean culture.
The meaning of the word "salsa" is sauce or spice, which refers to the mixed character of the musical style and the rhythm. It originally comes from the 14th century, but after some time Cuban music merged with the music of the Spanish wanderers, Western European music and jazz. The salsa of today emerged in the 1960s when many Cuban and Puerto Rican immigrants arrived in New York, where they preserved their culture and traditions. The original salsa music is fast, explosive and rhythmically complex; the dance is piquant, joyful, heated, and dynamic. Salsa is usually a partner dance with a playful atmosphere, many turns and step-combinations. It has two basic types, the Cuban and the Puerto Rican style. Cuban salsa moves in a circle and emphasizes the movements of the arms.