Merengue
Some say it was derived from the "paso de la empalizada" (pole-fence step). There are also legends about a limping war hero (or El Presidente of a banana republic himself, in some versions) who had to step in this way while dancing because of wounds, and polite (or clueless) public imitated him.It is also characterized by a dragging of the feet, which is said to derive from the fact that its inventors were shackled slaves.
Merengue means whipped egg whites and sugar in Spanish, similar to the English word meringue. It is unclear as to why this name became the name of the music of the Dominican Republic. But, perhaps, can trace its meaning from the movement on the dance floor that could remind one of an egg beater in action. It is possible the dance took its name from the confection made of sugar and egg whites because of the light and frothy character of the dance or because of its short, precise rhythms. The Merengue was introduced in the United States in the New York area. However, it did not become well known until several years later. Ideally suited to the small, crowded dance floors, it is a dance that is easy to learn and essentially a "fun" dance.
Merengue is a combination of two dances, the African and the French Minuet, from the late 1700's - early 1800's. The black slaves saw the ballroom dances in the Big Houses and when they had their own festivities started mimicking the "masters' dances". But the Europeans dances were not fun, they were very boring and staid, so over time, the slaves added a special movements. So, the origin of the Merengue is very similar to that of the "Cake Walk" dance of the American South.
Merengue is often played in sexy salsa clubs. It is surprising to see how people there are differentiated with respect to merengue. Another form of merengue found on the shared island of Hispaniola is the Méringue which is the popular Haitian interpretation of the music. Folk merengue is still preserved in Dominican rural areas. There's a tendency to move the hips in full circles.
Partners hold each other in a closed position. The man holds the woman's waist with his right hand while keeping his left hand/her right hand at the woman's eye level. The merengue is a 2-step beat requiring both partners to bend their knees slightly left and right. This in turn makes the hips move left and right. When danced correctly, the hips of the man and woman will move in the same direction throughout the song. Partners may walk sideways or circle each other, in small steps. They can further switch to a double hand hold position and do separate turns without letting go each other's hands or momentarily releasing one hand. During these turns they may twist and tie their hand hold into intricate pretzels. Other choreography is possible.
Although the tempo of the music may be frantic, the upper body is kept majestic and turns are slow, typically four beats/steps per complete turn.