Kiz-om-what?! Kizomba Dance and Music!

October 12, 2014 by Jennelle Wax

Filed Under: Blog, Dance Styles, Wedding Dance

Kiz-om-what?! Kizomba Dance and Music!

Intimate, sensual, romantic. These are a few of the words that come to mind when watching two dancers engage in Kizomba. Kiz-om-what?? Kizomba! Kizomba is both a music and dance style. The dance developed in Angloa, Africa in the 1980’s, but is said to have evolved from dance styles that are much older. Semba, the predecessor of Samba, and Zouk from the French Caribbean Islands, have influenced Kizomba music. It’s sound is emerging as a more modern genre with a traditional touch of African rhythm with a sensual flowing feel.

“Kizomba” means “party” in Kimbundu, one of the most widely spoken languages in Angola. Kizomba is danced in African countries, throughout Europe, and is starting to gain popularity in the United States. It is becoming more prevalent in large urban areas such as Seattle, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and various cities in Texas and Florida. There are now annual Kizomba festivals and competitions in the US.

From my perspective, the partner dance style looks like a combination of tango, rhumba, salsa, bachata, hip-hop and bellydance. The music reminds me of a romantic reggaeton. I realize that I may sound naïve in my assessment, so I leave you with further resources to make the judgment call on the characteristics of this emerging music and dance style!

Kizomba Inspiration:

“Kizomba de Angola”