Kizomba

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Kizomba is a social dance and music style that started in Angola in the late 1970s to early 1980s. The word kizomba means “party” in Kimbundu. It used to be danced mainly at parties, weddings, and family gatherings, but today you’ll also find it in clubs and on the streets in places like Luanda (Kizomba na Rua).

What makes kizomba unique
- It has a slower, romantic, and sensuous rhythm compared to Angolan semba.
- The music is a fusion of Angolan semba with Caribbean zouk, slowed down with a stronger bass.
- Most kizomba songs are sung in Angolan Portuguese.

Origins and evolution
- Semba, a dance and music style, came to popularity in the 1950s in Angola. After Angola’s independence and a long civil war (1975–2002), semba slowed down and Angolans began blending it with zouk and other influences.
- In the 1980s, kizomba music and dancing grew popular. Many Angolans adapted semba steps to fit kizomba’s tempo and feel. Today, kizomba is often seen as a social version of semba, sometimes called “Semba Social.” Some teachers outside Angola marketed a faster style as “Semba Show.”

How it’s danced
- Kizomba is a couple dance. The leader uses the torso and right arm to guide the follower across the floor.
- The goal is to move together in time with the music, expressed through smooth footwork, flowing body movement, and a confident attitude. Terms used by dancers include Ginga (woman) and Banga (man).

Where kizomba is popular
- It has influenced many Portuguese-speaking countries and is especially popular in Portugal, including Lisbon and nearby areas like Amadora and Almada.
- São Tomé and Angola share similar kizomba music, with notable artists like Juka from São Tomé.
- The dance and music have grown worldwide, with many teachers spreading Angolan culture in Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Rhythms and style
- Kizomba features a slow, steady, and sensuous beat created by electronic percussion. It’s danced very smoothly with close partner connection and relaxed body movement, often with coordinated hip motions during calmer parts of the music.

Global growth
- Angolan teachers such as Kota N’dongala and Mestre Petchu have helped teach kizomba and Semba internationally.
- In Brazil, kizomba gained popularity after pop artist Kelly Key released a track in 2015 that showcased the style.
- It’s growing in Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, with teachers from China and abroad and events such as Shanghai Bachata/Kizomba Festival.
- In Ghana, especially Accra, kizomba is becoming more popular, with regular dance sessions at venues like Afrikiko Leisure Centre.