conga

Where does the word "conga" come from? It comes from Spanish Congo, passing through Cuban Spanish before entering English (1930s-1940s).

Conga’s story begins in Spanish: Congo meant “the Congo region.” Named after the Congo region of Central Africa, source of the drum and dance tradition. By 1800s-1900s, the word had taken hold in Cuban Spanish as conga. Developed into a line dance and drum tradition in Cuba. It reached English by 1930s-1940s as conga. Desi Arnaz's 1930s Miami club performances launched the US conga-line craze. Today, conga means a Latin American line dance, or a tall, narrow drum played with the hands.

1. Stage 1 · Spanish · medieval Congo "the Congo region", named after the Congo region of Central Africa, source of the drum and dance tradition.
2. Stage 2 · Cuban Spanish · 1800s-1900s conga "a Cuban line dance and drum", developed into a line dance and drum tradition in Cuba.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1930s-1940s conga "a line dance performed to Latin rhythms", Desi Arnaz's 1930s Miami club performances launched the US conga-line craze.