List of Traditional Folk Dances from the Corn Islands, Nicaragua
The Corn Islands have a rich cultural heritage shaped by the African diaspora during the transatlantic slave trade and subsequent emancipation. European influences, particularly from the English and Scottish, also significantly impacted the folk culture of the first Creole inhabitants.
Below is a list of traditional dances from the Corn Islands, reflecting the diverse heritage of these societies. While some dances are no longer performed, others continue to thrive within the local culture.
Ballroom-Type Dances
Schottische: Spelled in the local Creole dialect as "Shaties" or "Shatiez," this partnered dance, with its country-like charm, originated in Bohemia, now part of the Czech Republic. It was brought to the Caribbean by English and Scottish settlers. The Schottische became a traditional dance throughout the Caribbean islands and the mainland as African descendants and European settlers migrated from major colonies like Jamaica.
Quadrille: A dance for four couples arranged in a square, the Quadrille evolved from the earlier cotillion and gained popularity in the French court in the early 19th century before spreading to England. British settlers brought the Quadrille to the Caribbean, where it was adopted by African descendants, blending English influence into local dance traditions.
Polka: The Polka also hails from Bohemia. This lively dance of Slavic origin made its way to England and subsequently to the Caribbean with British immigrants. The Caribbean versions of the Polka are known for their relaxed and informal style, differentiating them from their European counterparts.
Mento: Originating in Jamaica, Mento is a type of folk music that merges West African rhythms with European musical elements. Mento dance is typically performed in pairs, with free-form movements and less formal attire. It spread to other Caribbean islands as African descendants migrated across the region.
Waltz: This graceful turning dance, performed by a couple in 3/4 or 3/8 time, originated in Germany and Austria. The Waltz spread throughout Europe and later to the Caribbean islands, brought by settlers from Britain, Scotland, France, and the Netherlands.
Country: Locally known as Tearjerker, it emerged in the rural areas of the Southern and Western United States in the 20th century. Country music became popular in the Caribbean through American migration and the influence of sailors who tuned in to North American radio stations while at sea. This exposure facilitated the adoption of Country dance in the Caribbean.
Shake Your Right Foot: This local dance shares elements with Mento and Quadrille. Its name comes from one of its most distinctive moves—shaking the right foot.
Outdoor and Bacchanal Dances
Maypole: Rooted in ancient civilisations that celebrated nature gods, particularly fertility and life, the Maypole dance was introduced to the Caribbean by the British. Enslaved Africans adapted it, incorporating their musical and symbolic traditions. In Nicaragua's Caribbean region, Maypole dances are performed around a tree rather than the traditional ribbon-decorated pole and typically occur throughout May.
Ribbon Pole (Plat Pole): This dance retains the traditional European Maypole form and remains popular in rural European communities and across many Caribbean islands. In the Caribbean region of Nicaragua, it is celebrated as a distinct folk expression from the Maypole.
Soca: Emerging in the 1970s in Trinidad and Tobago, Soca’s energetic dance moves are a staple of Trinidad's carnival. The genre and its dances spread throughout the Caribbean, arriving on the Corn Islands as locals traveled for work on fishing boats and ships. Soca dances are often performed at parties and carnivals, sharing characteristics with Calypso moves.
Calypso: Originating in Trinidad and Tobago in the early to mid-19th century, Calypso music is deeply rooted in West African Kaiso and influenced by French colonial history. The dance moves associated with Calypso often reflect the song's lyrics and have spread across the Caribbean, becoming a vibrant part of its cultural fabric.
Zouk: Known locally as Patua, Zouk music and dance originated in the French Antilles between the 1970s and 1980s and are popular in French and French Creole-speaking Caribbean islands like Haiti, Martinique, St. Lucia, and Guadeloupe. Zouk was introduced to the Corn Islands in the early 1980s by locals who worked on ships around the Caribbean, bringing back both the music and the dance. Zouk dances are typically freestyle, allowing for expressive and varied movements.
These dances illustrate the rich tapestry of cultural influences on the Corn Islands—a blend of African, European, and indigenous traditions that continue to shape the islands' cultural identity.
