Merengue is the national music and dance genre of the Dominican Republic, one of the most popular dance styles of all Latin America and the Caribbean. It is distinguished by a fast, crisp duple rhythm that is easy and joyful to dance to.
Traditional merengue rests on a “holy trinity” of instruments: the accordion leads the melody, the double-headed tambora drum sets the rhythm, and the metal güira scraper adds a characteristic rustling pulse. The lyrics can be lyrical, playful, or socially sharp. In the 20th century merengue became a symbol of Dominican national identity and spread far beyond the island. In 2016 it was inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible cultural heritage.
