How did the merengue originate?

Originating from the Dominican Republic, merengue music derives its foundations from traditional African music. Merengue has some musical connections to Haitian Mereng music; these musical genres originate from the two countries that occupy the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean.

The exact origins of the name "merengue" is unclear; some believe it is related to the French and Spanish word "meringue," which is a dessert made of sweetened whipped egg whites. In addition to merengue music, which is considered to be the national music of the Dominican Republic, there is a dance called merengue that is meant to accompany the music. This dance developed after the music.