Cien
Rueda de Casino Figure
RuedaLevel: Intermediate1 min read2 citations
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Cien is a specialized call within the Rueda de Casino format, a social dance tradition that emerged in Havana during the 1950s [1, 2]. As a structured group dance, Rueda de Casino relies on a caller, or 'cantante,' who directs multiple couples to execute simultaneous movements [2]. The figure Cien functions as a dynamic partner-swapping maneuver. In the context of Rueda, partner rotation is a fundamental element, often facilitated by calls such as 'dame' or 'dile que no' [2]. While the basic mechanics of Casino dancing emphasize a circular flow and spontaneous integration of Afro-Cuban vocabulary [1], Cien specifically requires the leader to navigate the follower through a designated path to the next partner in the circle. The execution involves a synchronized shift where the leader initiates a change in the connection, allowing the follower to progress to the next position in the rueda [2]. This figure reflects the evolution of Casino, which has expanded from its origins in the Club Casino Deportivo to a global phenomenon. Mastery of Cien assumes a foundational understanding of the rueda circle, including the timing of the 'guapea' and the standard 'dame' transition, ensuring that all participants maintain the rhythmic integrity of the group [2].
How it's danced
Lead and follow cues
CountOn1 - breaks on 1 & 5
Lead
On count 1, break back on left foot while initiating a lead to the follower's right side, guiding her to the next partner in the circle by count 5.
Follow
On count 1, break back on right foot, then travel forward to the next leader in the circle, arriving by count 5.
Song timing150-185 bpm
Learn first
Prerequisites
- Guapea
- Dile que no
- Dame
Watch out
Common mistakes
- Failure to maintain the circular path.
- Over-rotating the follower during the transition.
- Breaking on the wrong beat relative to the caller's timing.
Don't confuse with
Easily confused moves
- Dame (Cien involves a different path or sequence of movement than a standard Dame).
Around the world
Other names
Cuba
Cien
International Rueda
Cien
References
The bracketed numbers in the text show which source each fact comes from. Tap or click one to jump to that source in this list.
- 1.wikipedia.org
- 2.cubanvibes.com
How to cite this article
Choose a style and copy the citation.
Bailar Editorial Team. (2026). Cien. Bailar Biblioteca. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-cien
Bailar Editorial Team. “Cien.” Bailar Biblioteca, 2026, getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-cien. Accessed 13 October 2026.
Bailar Editorial Team. “Cien.” Bailar Biblioteca. Accessed October 13, 2026. https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-cien.
@misc{bailar-move-rueda-cien, author = {{Bailar Editorial Team}}, title = {{Cien}}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {Bailar Biblioteca}, url = {https://getbailar.com/biblioteca/move/rueda-cien}, note = {Accessed: 2026-10-13} }
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