HOT SALSA : dictionary of salsa, Z

ZAPATEO: Country dance, practised in Cuba and Puerto Rico, originating from Spain. The presence of zapateo in Cuban countries is detected from the early 18th century.

The couple of dancers strikes the ground with the heels, stressing the rhythm. The man, his hands behind his back, does the most complicated figures. Sometimes, the dancer fixes knives at his shoes, thus imitating the cock and his spurs. The woman arouses the man by rolling up her skirt.

Very widespread in the Cuban rural feasts during the 19th century, this practise seems completely vanished today.
ZARAMBEQUE: Old Afro-Cuban dance, very frantic.
ZUMBE: Other name of zarambeque.