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A History
of Merengue Trawling through the Internet, I find as many different interpretations for the history of merengue as there are websites. I think it's encouraging that there is no single “definitive” version; actually it just demonstrates the richness and vitality of the genre. Presented here is a series of seven articles, tracing the early history of merengue as a pan-Caribbean genre, the importance of the Dominican Republic as the main locus for its development, and its transnationalisation because of the Diaspora. It concludes with a personal perspective of merengue in this country, the United Kingdom. Given the nature of its history, it has sometimes been necessary to allude to certain political events of the time. I'd like to reassure you, the reader, that I have no political capital invested in this work. Web writing does not allow me to be as comprehensive as I would like. But luckily, if you find your curiosity piqued, I can heartily recommend Paul Austerlitz's book which was one of my primary references. It sets the standard that musicologists should aspire to. You can find details under resources. I
hope that you will find this series useful, whether you're a dancer,
teacher or researcher. And once again, thanks to all of you for your
valuable suggestions. Loo Yen Yeo |
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This site is kindly sponsored by Verdant Ecologic. Keeping the right to dance, free. ©1999 Salsa
& Merengue Society
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