The sarabande, a centuries-old slow dance that originated in what is now Central America, is a beautifully crafted performance dance that is still popular today. In 1539, it was mentioned for the first time in written history. The triple meter construction of the dance, known as the zarabanda in a poem written by Fernando Guzman Mexia, was apparently already gaining popularity among Spanish colonists in the New World. Sarabandes became part of the culture of the homeland as Spanish nationals began to travel back and forth between the colonies and the Spanish court.
Many consider the sarabande to be an extremely erotic dance, and it was actually banned in 1583 because it was deemed too obscene for polite company. However, mentions of music and dancing continued to appear in popular writings of the time.
By the Baroque period, the sarabande had made a comeback, appearing in instrumental suites as well as popular dance movements that accompanied the compositions. The version performed in this era, however, was not exactly like the original in that the triple meter was greatly slowed down. This aligned the dance with the ostensibly more sedate and dignified concepts of European sensibilities, and allowed it to be reinterpreted for a new era.
The faster-paced sarabande made a strong comeback in the twentieth century, with composers such as Satie and Debussy taking credit for its resurgence. The revived music and dancers’ accompanying moves provided a treat for fans of Spanish music and culture, as well as restoring some romance to the fine art of dancing. Although there is general agreement that the moves are erotic in nature, there were no new discussions about the dance’s so-called obscene nature.
The sarabande is still regarded as one of the best examples of Spanish dancing, as well as for its contributions to French, English, and American culture over the years. It is frequently regarded as an exciting yet intimate dance that lovers will undoubtedly continue to perform for many years to come.