The Mambo's origins can be traced to Cuba. However, it was borrowed from the Haitians because they originally came up with the term "Mambo."

In Haiti, the Mambo is the voodoo priestess. She acts as the village counselor, healer, exorcist, soothsayer, spiritual advisor, organizer and public entertainer. Interestingly, there is no dance called the “Mambo” in Haiti.

Source: History of Dance

In Cuba, the “Mambo” is the name for a Bantu drum. The word Mambo means “conversation with the gods." Cubans adapted it from immigrants.

In Cuba, Oresta Lopez, a composer, created a piece known as the “Mambo.” It mixed everyday Cuban rhythms with African rhythms. Mambo became even more popular when Prado Perez marketed his music under the name “Mambo.” It incorporated a big brass and drum sound, fast beats and runs on the instruments. In 1951, Prado and his orchestra took a tour of the U.S. Prado was the first to market “Mambo #5," which became popular again in the 1990s.

Mambo History

In America, the Mambo also had a renewed popularity because of Eddie Torres. He is known as the “Mambo King of Latin Dance.” He reintroduced dancers to the night club style of Mambo, which is now just known as "Salsa."

The Mambo got its big break with Perez Prado at La Tropicana night club in Havana in 1943. It was furthered by Tito Rodriguez, Pupi Campbo, Tito Puente, Machito, Xavier Cugat.

In the U.S., it premiered at New York’s Park Plaza Ballroom, a popular spot for Harlem dancers. The form danced today is a modified, toned-down version of what was originally seen in New York and Miami. The original included violent acrobatics and dancers were known as “Mambonicks.”

Source: Dance History

In New York dance halls, dancers twisted and threw their partners, arms legs and hands into the air while competing in dance competitions. Mambo bands also developed intense rivalry surrounding Mambo rhythms, fueled by Ellington, Gillespie and Bob Hope.

Mambo History

The Mambo is not a fast dance as many people do it. It is slow and precise and dancers don’t move a lot.

The Mambo craze did not last long and today it is only danced by advanced dancers because of the level of difficulty of the dance. The greatest contribution of the Mambo is that it lead to the Cha Cha.

Source: Dance History

Modern Mambo is a New York creation. The five note, two—bar rhythm pattern known as the “clave” was the main backbone of the dance. Others later added steps from jazz, tap and swing. Eventually, the “Latin Hustle,” created from the 1970s infamous “Hustle” dance involved the Mambo with quicker rhythms and steps.

Today, Mambo is danced mainly in competition. Many couples strive for a sensual look while dancing. The Mambo is blatantly sensual, instead of dramatic, fast or flowing. Couples who win competitions performing the Mambo tend to perform slower, simpler dances with graceful simultaneous rhythms.

Mambo History

The Mambo and Salsa look so similar that some commentators say that they are the same. However, they are different in terms of technique and timing.

Mambo: How To:

Mambo is danced in 4/4 time-four beats to one bar of music. Dancers do not move during the first beat, but it is still counted as a step. Only on step two and four do the feet move. It is characterized by hip movements.