African Dance Information

Dance has played an important role in African history and tribes for centuries. Many tribes considered dances as useful rather than as entertainment. They used dances to protect the tribe, tell stories, remember history and as religious expression.

Religion

Most African religions use dance in some way. They see dance as a means to communicate with their deity, expressing feelings, desires and requests to the gods.

Slave Dances

African slaves used dances to communicate with each other, pass messages, retain their culture, pass the time and entertain themselves. Slaves in Europe had more freedom to dance than slaves in North America, but even North American slaves maintained dance as part of their lives and culture.

The Influence of African Dance

African dance has influenced many popular American dances such as the Charleston, the Lindy Hop, the Jitterbug and the Twist. Many Western choreographers incorporate elements of the rhythm and style of African dance into modern dance.

Drums

African dance is highly percussive. In addition to the rhythms created by the dancers themselves, drums used by musicians and dancers accompany African dance. The musicians are usually so integrated that they become part of the dance.

Dance as Exercise

African dance is highly energetic and certain communities use it as a form of exercise.