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Posted on Jul 31, 2015

Top 10 African Dances

This article explores the most popular styles of African dance.

Community Contributor

A lot of African dances were created by musicians who displayed new moves in music videos. One example is Daddy Showkey whose signature move, galala, quickly became a popular move in Ajegunle, a ghetto city in Nigeria. The dance became so popular because it encapsulated the socio-political environment that Showkey grew up in. One scholar Ugolo states that this dance was a by-product of military rule, poverty, an even injustice in the ghetto. Eventually the galala evolved as official dance for the Nigerian ghetto community.The most common way to dance this move is by thrusting one left after another while being bent forward.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012). — youtube.com / Via Youtube

A lot of African dances were created by musicians who displayed new moves in music videos. One example is Daddy Showkey whose signature move, galala, quickly became a popular move in Ajegunle, a ghetto city in Nigeria. The dance became so popular because it encapsulated the socio-political environment that Showkey grew up in. One scholar Ugolo states that this dance was a by-product of military rule, poverty, an even injustice in the ghetto. Eventually the galala evolved as official dance for the Nigerian ghetto community.The most common way to dance this move is by thrusting one left after another while being bent forward.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012).

youtube.com / Via Youtube

A lot of African dances were created by musicians who displayed new moves in music videos. One example is Daddy Showkey whose signature move, galala, quickly became a popular move in Ajegunle, a ghetto city in Nigeria. The dance became so popular because it encapsulated the socio-political environment that Showkey grew up in. One scholar Ugolo states that this dance was a by-product of military rule, poverty, an even injustice in the ghetto. Eventually the galala evolved as official dance for the Nigerian ghetto community.The most common way to dance this move is by thrusting one left after another while being bent forward.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012).

The makossa dance step originated in the early 1990's in Nigeria and became so popular that it surpassed the galala as Nigeria's most popular dance move. It uses strong electric bass rhythms and prominent brass like most of the other music of Sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly enough Michael Jackson used the rhythms of makossa in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Additionally, in the 2010 World cup Shakira showed off this popular style of dance in the popular song "Zamina mina (Zangalewa)".
http://grainyhood.blogspot.com/2013/07/african-dance-10-famous-dance-steps-10.html
Anonymous. "African Food, Dance, Style, and Music". The Centralian Advocate. 26. 2011. — youtube.com / Via Youtube

The makossa dance step originated in the early 1990's in Nigeria and became so popular that it surpassed the galala as Nigeria's most popular dance move. It uses strong electric bass rhythms and prominent brass like most of the other music of Sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly enough Michael Jackson used the rhythms of makossa in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Additionally, in the 2010 World cup Shakira showed off this popular style of dance in the popular song "Zamina mina (Zangalewa)".
http://grainyhood.blogspot.com/2013/07/african-dance-10-famous-dance-steps-10.html
Anonymous. "African Food, Dance, Style, and Music". The Centralian Advocate. 26. 2011.

youtube.com / Via Youtube

The makossa dance step originated in the early 1990's in Nigeria and became so popular that it surpassed the galala as Nigeria's most popular dance move. It uses strong electric bass rhythms and prominent brass like most of the other music of Sub-Saharan Africa. Interestingly enough Michael Jackson used the rhythms of makossa in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'". Additionally, in the 2010 World cup Shakira showed off this popular style of dance in the popular song "Zamina mina (Zangalewa)".
http://grainyhood.blogspot.com/2013/07/african-dance-10-famous-dance-steps-10.html
Anonymous. "African Food, Dance, Style, and Music". The Centralian Advocate. 26. 2011.

The mapouka dance originated from the Dabou area of Cote d’ Ivoire, a French-speaking West African country. It requires the women to isolate their rears and shake side to side while bending over. The dance is highly sexual and was even banned by governments in the late 1990's. They modern day twerk evolved from this popular African dance.
http://thewestculture.blogspot.com/ — youtube.com / Via Youtube

The mapouka dance originated from the Dabou area of Cote d’ Ivoire, a French-speaking West African country. It requires the women to isolate their rears and shake side to side while bending over. The dance is highly sexual and was even banned by governments in the late 1990's. They modern day twerk evolved from this popular African dance.
http://thewestculture.blogspot.com/

youtube.com / Via Youtube

The mapouka dance originated from the Dabou area of Cote d’ Ivoire, a French-speaking West African country. It requires the women to isolate their rears and shake side to side while bending over. The dance is highly sexual and was even banned by governments in the late 1990's. They modern day twerk evolved from this popular African dance.
http://thewestculture.blogspot.com/

The suo was another African dance that grew in Nigeria along with galala and makossa. The suo dance was largely ignited by African musicians like Danfo Drivers and Marvelous Benjy amongst others. The moves involved in a typical Suo dance involves lowering your waist and the pulling or stretching your hands as if you are reaching for something below you. The suo along with the galala and makossa were thought to bring about negative acts from the youth.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012). — youtube.com / Via Youtube

The suo was another African dance that grew in Nigeria along with galala and makossa. The suo dance was largely ignited by African musicians like Danfo Drivers and Marvelous Benjy amongst others. The moves involved in a typical Suo dance involves lowering your waist and the pulling or stretching your hands as if you are reaching for something below you. The suo along with the galala and makossa were thought to bring about negative acts from the youth.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012).

youtube.com / Via Youtube

The suo was another African dance that grew in Nigeria along with galala and makossa. The suo dance was largely ignited by African musicians like Danfo Drivers and Marvelous Benjy amongst others. The moves involved in a typical Suo dance involves lowering your waist and the pulling or stretching your hands as if you are reaching for something below you. The suo along with the galala and makossa were thought to bring about negative acts from the youth.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012).

The Yahooze was yet another dance that originated in Nigerina by hip hop singer Olu Maintain. "Yahooze" is the name of the song by Maintain in which he speaks of the flashy lifestyle held by the 'Yahooze" boys or the scam artists in Nigeria. What really skyrocketed this dance to fame was the incident on November 2008, when former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell joined Maintain in the dance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Inyabri, Idom Tom. "Youth and Postcolonial Subjectivity in Contemporary Nigerian Pop Music." Postcolonial Text 8.3 & 4 (2014).
http://www.nigeriancuriosity.com/2008/10/colin-powell-yahooze.html — youtube.com / Via Youtube

The Yahooze was yet another dance that originated in Nigerina by hip hop singer Olu Maintain. "Yahooze" is the name of the song by Maintain in which he speaks of the flashy lifestyle held by the 'Yahooze" boys or the scam artists in Nigeria. What really skyrocketed this dance to fame was the incident on November 2008, when former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell joined Maintain in the dance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Inyabri, Idom Tom. "Youth and Postcolonial Subjectivity in Contemporary Nigerian Pop Music." Postcolonial Text 8.3 & 4 (2014).
http://www.nigeriancuriosity.com/2008/10/colin-powell-yahooze.html

youtube.com / Via Youtube

The Yahooze was yet another dance that originated in Nigerina by hip hop singer Olu Maintain. "Yahooze" is the name of the song by Maintain in which he speaks of the flashy lifestyle held by the 'Yahooze" boys or the scam artists in Nigeria. What really skyrocketed this dance to fame was the incident on November 2008, when former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell joined Maintain in the dance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Inyabri, Idom Tom. "Youth and Postcolonial Subjectivity in Contemporary Nigerian Pop Music." Postcolonial Text 8.3 & 4 (2014).
http://www.nigeriancuriosity.com/2008/10/colin-powell-yahooze.html

The alanta dance became popular by the hip hop group Artquake and quickly and managed to find its way into most west African social functions. Churches, work places, and shows always showcased the alanta move. The hand and leg movements produce a different way of moving than the past moves we looked at. The alanta dance craze was popularized by Nigerian musicians like Artquake,Timaya, and, Alanta was gradually taking over dance floors and music videos. And like its predecessor, many songs are already being waxed to herald it. One of the members of Artquake, Adex, stated that he saw the dance take after the position of a spider.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/shoki-revolution-before-and-after/198359/ — youtube.com / Via Youtube

The alanta dance became popular by the hip hop group Artquake and quickly and managed to find its way into most west African social functions. Churches, work places, and shows always showcased the alanta move. The hand and leg movements produce a different way of moving than the past moves we looked at. The alanta dance craze was popularized by Nigerian musicians like Artquake,Timaya, and, Alanta was gradually taking over dance floors and music videos. And like its predecessor, many songs are already being waxed to herald it. One of the members of Artquake, Adex, stated that he saw the dance take after the position of a spider.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/shoki-revolution-before-and-after/198359/

youtube.com / Via Youtube

The alanta dance became popular by the hip hop group Artquake and quickly and managed to find its way into most west African social functions. Churches, work places, and shows always showcased the alanta move. The hand and leg movements produce a different way of moving than the past moves we looked at. The alanta dance craze was popularized by Nigerian musicians like Artquake,Timaya, and, Alanta was gradually taking over dance floors and music videos. And like its predecessor, many songs are already being waxed to herald it. One of the members of Artquake, Adex, stated that he saw the dance take after the position of a spider.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/shoki-revolution-before-and-after/198359/

Another dance is the azonto which originated from the port town of Tema in downtown Accra, Ghana. While the azonto move first saw humble beginning sin Ghana, the world was first introduced to azonto at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by Ghanaian star player, Asamoah Gyan. He would celebrate his goals with the azonto. Azonto is now gaining popularity in Nigeria. The move incorporates intricate but co-ordinated body movement. Knee bending and hip movements are necessary to dance it. The move shows off the sense of humor of the Ghanas.
Harper, Peggy. "Dance in a changing Society." African Arts (1967): 10-80. — youtube.com / Via Youtube

Another dance is the azonto which originated from the port town of Tema in downtown Accra, Ghana. While the azonto move first saw humble beginning sin Ghana, the world was first introduced to azonto at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by Ghanaian star player, Asamoah Gyan. He would celebrate his goals with the azonto. Azonto is now gaining popularity in Nigeria. The move incorporates intricate but co-ordinated body movement. Knee bending and hip movements are necessary to dance it. The move shows off the sense of humor of the Ghanas.
Harper, Peggy. "Dance in a changing Society." African Arts (1967): 10-80.

youtube.com / Via Youtube

Another dance is the azonto which originated from the port town of Tema in downtown Accra, Ghana. While the azonto move first saw humble beginning sin Ghana, the world was first introduced to azonto at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by Ghanaian star player, Asamoah Gyan. He would celebrate his goals with the azonto. Azonto is now gaining popularity in Nigeria. The move incorporates intricate but co-ordinated body movement. Knee bending and hip movements are necessary to dance it. The move shows off the sense of humor of the Ghanas.
Harper, Peggy. "Dance in a changing Society." African Arts (1967): 10-80.

The alingo dance is one of the most recent dance moves to come out of Africa and was popularized by the twin duo P- Square in their song “Alingo”. The move finds its roots in Ghana where the Ghanas use it to tell a story. The move requires more speed than your average African dance. Additionally, the Ghanans like to have fun and get creative with this move.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/shoki-revolution-before-and-after/198359/ — youtube.com / Via Youtube

The alingo dance is one of the most recent dance moves to come out of Africa and was popularized by the twin duo P- Square in their song “Alingo”. The move finds its roots in Ghana where the Ghanas use it to tell a story. The move requires more speed than your average African dance. Additionally, the Ghanans like to have fun and get creative with this move.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/shoki-revolution-before-and-after/198359/

youtube.com / Via Youtube

The alingo dance is one of the most recent dance moves to come out of Africa and was popularized by the twin duo P- Square in their song “Alingo”. The move finds its roots in Ghana where the Ghanas use it to tell a story. The move requires more speed than your average African dance. Additionally, the Ghanans like to have fun and get creative with this move.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/shoki-revolution-before-and-after/198359/

Another new dance move, the etighi is a dance style that has been subtly on the rise in popularity since the 2010 Calabar festival. In Iyanya‘s club-banging single “Kukere”, the move can be seen clearly. This is another move that was created recently and along with the alingo it is a reflection of the current trends in African at this point in time.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012).
http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/03/20/has-azonto-met-its-match-etighi-a-new-dance-craze-sweeping-the-land/ — youtube.com / Via Youtube

Another new dance move, the etighi is a dance style that has been subtly on the rise in popularity since the 2010 Calabar festival. In Iyanya‘s club-banging single “Kukere”, the move can be seen clearly. This is another move that was created recently and along with the alingo it is a reflection of the current trends in African at this point in time.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012).
http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/03/20/has-azonto-met-its-match-etighi-a-new-dance-craze-sweeping-the-land/

youtube.com / Via Youtube

Another new dance move, the etighi is a dance style that has been subtly on the rise in popularity since the 2010 Calabar festival. In Iyanya‘s club-banging single “Kukere”, the move can be seen clearly. This is another move that was created recently and along with the alingo it is a reflection of the current trends in African at this point in time.
Olalusi, Adedamola Kehinde. "Effects of some of the Emerging Dance Styles on the Nigerian Youths." THE PERFORMER-ILORIN JOURNAL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS 14 (2012).
http://www.bellanaija.com/2012/03/20/has-azonto-met-its-match-etighi-a-new-dance-craze-sweeping-the-land/

The move the swange can be found in the state of Benue. This move is a bit different since it involves women and men dancing together in a circular motion. It involves a lot of rhythmic movements especially around the waist. The swange became even more popular with the rise in fame of the band Zulezoo. Their popular song, "Kerewe" was later banned by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, for its explicit content. However before the ban the swange already skyrocketed to fame and it started to be performed even at religious events.
Harper, Peggy. "Dance in a changing Society." African Arts (1967): 10-80. — youtube.com / Via Youtube

The move the swange can be found in the state of Benue. This move is a bit different since it involves women and men dancing together in a circular motion. It involves a lot of rhythmic movements especially around the waist. The swange became even more popular with the rise in fame of the band Zulezoo. Their popular song, "Kerewe" was later banned by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, for its explicit content. However before the ban the swange already skyrocketed to fame and it started to be performed even at religious events.
Harper, Peggy. "Dance in a changing Society." African Arts (1967): 10-80.

youtube.com / Via Youtube

The move the swange can be found in the state of Benue. This move is a bit different since it involves women and men dancing together in a circular motion. It involves a lot of rhythmic movements especially around the waist. The swange became even more popular with the rise in fame of the band Zulezoo. Their popular song, "Kerewe" was later banned by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, for its explicit content. However before the ban the swange already skyrocketed to fame and it started to be performed even at religious events.
Harper, Peggy. "Dance in a changing Society." African Arts (1967): 10-80.

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