The following are various terms which you may hear repeated in the lyrics of many Salsa pieces and/or that may help to provide insight into the nature and essence of this dance.

Asucar: A trademark expression of Celia Cruz. Literally translated it means sugar. Perhaps this simple expression celebrates the history of sugarcane plantation slavery that created the Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Casa de la Trova: The music hall found in every Cuban town.

Ciboney: 1 of 3 Indian groups that inhabited Cuba before Columbus. (Guanajatabeyhs and Taino were the others with the latter being the inventor of the cigar)

Cimarron: Current expression used in Cuba to describe runaways or wildmen. The name was originally given to Cuban native Indians who participated in group attacks on Spanish conquistadors at the end of the Indian resistance around 1510. The name was later given to runaway slaves of the sugar plantations during the early 1800's.

Clave: Literally translated means Key. It is the (2 bar-8 beat) rhythmic pattern which is the foundation of most Cuban music. It is also the name of the cuban instrument with African roots - two cylindrical pieces of hardwood which sound out this pattern. You will learn what this pattern sounds like in class.

Coro: back up singers

Descarga: Literally translated, it means "to unload". A Cuban jam session in the Rumba clave. Either a piece or a part of a piece that is comprised of group members' improvsations in which, typically, they'll take turns "unloading" the best stuff they can dish out. Bebo Valdes referred to Cuba's first recorded descarga in 1952 as a "guajeo, you know, a jam session for seven minutes". *see Articles section for a history on the Descarga.

Guantanamo: A province in Cuba

Guantanamera: A woman from Guantanamo

Mandinga and Yoruba: West African tribes from which many Cuban slaves came.

Mandingo: A West African language.

Matanzas: A province in Cuba that boasted some of the largest sugarcane plantations.

Oriente: An eastern mountain range in Cuba where various rebel movements formed including Castro's.

Montuno: a driving piano or guitar riff.

Sabroso: A word to describe something that is very good. Literally translated it means tasty.

Sonero: the lead vocalist.

Tres: A small guitar with three sets of double strings often used in musical pieces called Charangas.

Voz de vieja: The nasal vocal style used in Salsa. Literally translated it means "old woman's voice".