NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC TWENTY POPULAR AFRICAN DANCES AN ASSIGNMENT BY RASHEED KOLAWOLE JAMES 2018076005F MUS 821- AFRICAN MUSIC & DANCE Humans have been dancing to express themselves since the dawn of time. The popular dance styles to be examined are modern. The popular dance styles are united by their common goal of artistic expression and the celebration of the human body. Most of these dances are fad, for they are characterized by a short burst of popularity. Modern popular musicians try to create dance steps to their songs as a way of promoting them o the social media. The dances are often very simple at the base level, with freestyle options that have the potential to make the accompanying song very popular. The following are twenty of the popular dances in Africa: 1. Shaku shaku Source: halmblog.com Most people first became aware of the term “shaku shaku” after Dammy Krane, a Nigerian popular musician released a song of the same title. The dance is done by stretching the arm and crossing them over each other. The legs are widened out and launching the dancer into a graceful gallop. 2. Zanku Source: halmblog.com Zanku comes off as a well done modification of the Shaku shaku, but it is not so. In doing the Zanku, the upper body is arched forwards while the ground is stomped rapidly. This creates a delightful rhythm. An important element of the dance is the intermittent high kick in the air called “gbe body e”-which means lift yourself. The origin of the Zanku attributed to Zlatan Ibile, a Nigerian singer. Zanku, in his words mean “Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us”. 3. Pilolo Source: halmblog.com Pilolo is a dance step that became popular across the African continent in 2018. Zigi, a Ghanaian musician who created the dance got the name from a hide-and-seek game popular among Ghanian kids. 4. Gwara gwara The gwara gwara dance was made popular by South African musician, DJ Bongs, with the introduction of his hit song “Ofana Nawe”. The gwara gwara dance involves lifting and swinging one leg, then pulling the rest of the body into that movement. 5. Shoki Source: halmblog.com This dance was made popular by the Nigerian musician Lil Kesh. The Shoki makes the dancer look like a destitute of strength as he/she twists both legs and arms together to one side of the body. 6. Kupe Source: halmblog.com The Kupe dance started as a challenge on the internet by the Ghanian dance instructor and musician Michael Anuofa, popu;larly known as Zigi. The dance was meant to be a routine to a song by the same title by A-star, another Ghanian singer. 7. Makossa The makossa dance was born in Cameroon. Makossa means “dance” in the Cameroonian Douala language. The dance was popularized by Koffi Olomide and Awilo Logonba. The dance involves almost all part of the body. The backside should be shot out, legs bent, and both knees shot out and hands stretched out with bent elbows. 8. Galala Galala, the ghetto dance of Ajegunle, Lagos state, Nigeria is said to have been popularized by Daddy Showkey. The Galala is done by pushing out the knees, waist slightly bent while the arms are just behind the ribcage, and elbows pointed backwards. 9. Skelewu Source: halmblog.com Skelewu is a song by Nigerian singer, Davido. He also popularized the accompanying dance with the same name. to do the dance, the knees are bent, with one hand placed akimbo, while the other is tugged to-and-fro with an open palm. 10. Shakiti bobo The Shakiti bobo is a dancestep created and popularized by Olamide, a Nigerian singer with a song of the same title. To do the dance, an arm is raised, as well as the corresponding leg to imitate someone jogging. 11. Gbeku The Gbeku dance was created by Zlatan, a Niegerian pop singer. The dance which is quite simple involves taking three short steps, with the waist slightly bent. The dancer then hops backwards. 12. Rosalina The Rosalina dance originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rosalina, which means “break your back” is a high adrenaline dance with electrifying moves, thanks to the impressive Congolese beat that sets the pace for the rhythm. 13. Soapy The Soapy dance was introduced by Naira Marley, a Nigerian singer, alongside a song of the same title. The song comes in a highly ridiculous and hilarious form. The dance would have you put your hand close to your private part and make you shake your backside alongside the hand. 14. Vosho dance The popularized dance has its origin in South Africa. Vosho can be described as a dance that involves squatting and kicking at the same time. The dance has evolved into the “head vosho”, where instead of squatting and kicking; the dancer extends his arms and leans his head forwards to the rhythm. 15. Poco dance The poco dance, popularized in Africa by Poco Lee, a Nigerian dancer has its origin in the Philippines. The legs are the main proponents of this dance. The dancer shoots a leg forwards, then backwards. This he also does with the other leg. The steps take the dancer to the four directions of the room, and is said to be similar to the “Nutbush” and other Western dances. 16. Kpakujemu This dance was introduced by Olamide. To do the dance, short steps are takes to move the singer forwards, while punching the air with the forearm, and head nod with vigour. 17. Kukere Source: halmblog.com Iyanya, a Nigerian singer struck gold with his Afropop hit, Kukere. The dance that became associated with the song is a direct adaptation of a traditional dance called Etighi. The dance involves leaning forwards with locked knees and lifting each leg up and down to initiate the shaking of the backside. 18. Alkayida The Alkayida is a Ghanaian dance with an emphasis on side-to-side moves, incorporating upper body gestures. It involves footwork, and a vast array of hip-life dance moves. The dance has moves that seemed to be replicating the extremists group “Al-Qaeda”, from which the name was derived. 19. Sekem Source: halmblog.com The Sekem was created by a Nigerian singer, MC GALAXY. To do the Sekem,the dancer stands on one leg, puts one hand on his chest, and the other on his waist. With one leg up, he drags himself to the left and right without allowing the other leg rest. 20. Azonto Azonto is a communicative Ghanaian dance which literally means to work. This dance involves a set of hand movements that either mimic everyday activities or moves meant to amuse an audience. Just like most African dances, Azonto involves hip bending and hip movement.
