It is important to point out that when we talk about Rumba in Europe or in Dance sport what we are actually talking about is the International Rumba.
There are other forms of Rumba such as the " American style Rumba" which use completely different timings and technical actions.
Rumba in general has its roots in Cuba.
As a Spanish Colony , the Cuban culture was influenced by the mixing of the Spanish culture together with the culture of its African slaves
When dancing the Rumba the dancers performed a roll play where the man represents a Cockerel and the Lady represents a Hen . The dance represented the pursuit of the Hen by the Cockerel. However during the dance he never catches her. In order to enhance her provocative and seductive movements the lady used a scarf.It is also important to remember that as the dance developed around campfires and on street corners it became none progressive ( it should be danced in place) .
There ar also indications that the dance has its origins as a part of a religion called Santeria which is a combination of the African beliefs together with the Roman Catholicism. This religion having developed on the Caribbean islands.
As the Rumba developed it drew many influences from other Spanish/cuban dances such as the Bolero.
The Rumba first came to Europe through Paris in the 1920's.
It is during this period that the International Rumba was born.
During this period A Frenchman by the name of Pierre Jean Phillipe Zurcher Margolie ( Known by most as Pierre) Opened a dance school on Piccadilly in London.
Pierres dance partner was Doris Lavelle.
Together these two dancers and teachers grounded the technique and basic figures for the Rumba.
In 1947 they travelled to Cuba where they were introduced to the Cuban timing .
In 1948 they returned to England and introduced the "Cuban System of Ballroom Dancing"
This changed the timing of the Rumba from starting on count 1 to starting on count 2.
Since the introduction of the Technique by Pierre and Doris Lavelle, the majority of the development of the Rumba has been initiated by different Committees within the Imperial Society for Teachers of Dancing and the International Dance Teachers Association.
There is however,one man who is the greatest name in the development of the Latin American Technique since the time of Pierre and Lavelle - Walter Laird.
Walter Laird ,together with his partner Lorraine were 3 times World Champions.
Todays descriptions for the technique of Rumba can be found in His book " Technique of Latin American dancing"
The basic principle of Technique is that the dancer ,when stepping from leg to leg should, arrive on a straight leg. The step should be taken so that the toe is placed first. The hips should move in conjuction with the legs to assist in the transfer of body weight from foot to foot. This then creating a hip action.
The Music is 4/4 timing and there is a emphasis on counts 2 and 4.
Whilst dancing the basic figures the dancer should not take a step on count 1 .
The basic character of the international Rumba is a soft,seductive ,passionate dance where the 2 bodies roll around each other allowing for the development of the masculine and feminine rolls.
All in all The international Rumba is an amazing dance and in my opinion it is the hardest of the Latin American dances to dance correctly.