In African cultures, music and dancing are one and the same. Adowa dance from Ghana (which evolved in Trinidad), Capoeira from Angola and Congo (which was developed in Brazil and Martinique), and Yankadi dance from Burkina Faso are a few dance moves that stand out in the history of African dance due to their enduring impact ( which became reincarnated as the Charleston dance).
Currently, the top export from Africa is dance and entertainment. African dance forms are addictive and contagious. Some are humorous and put people in a good mood. It is therefore not unexpected that African dancing moves swiftly became popular around the globe.
“The dance is strong magic. The body can fly without wings. It can sing without voice. The dance is strong magic. The dance is life.”
Pearl Primus
African dancing, particularly in the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean, has had a tremendous influence on Western culture. derived from Capoeira, which translates to “tall grass” since the enslaved people who practiced this martial technique would flee and hide in the tall grass to do so. African dance has influenced a variety of dance styles all over the world, from Hip Hop and tap dancing to what is now very similar to what we know as breakdancing and we see elements of it in other martial arts forms like MMA.
But in African civilizations, music and dance are much more than just artistic means of expression. They also contain a spiritual symbolism. Take the African drum as an illustration. The drum is designed to celebrate the birth canal.
The quickest way to connect two people, according to Africans, is through dance since it physically draws them together. It unites individuals in a celebration of life and community.
It is essential to mention that none of these dance styles are better than the other. It is simply a matter of taste and mood.
See the most trending and coolest African dance moves below: