User:DaniloHelber/sandbox

Kizomba
Kizomba is a genre of music and a dance style. The word Kizomba in Kimbundu language (Angolan dialect), one of the most spoken languages in Angola means “party.” The word “Kizombadas” refers to “a big party,”. Kizomba is a partnered dance also from Angola and has  been around since the 1980’s. Kizomba the dance is simply Semba danced to the rhythm of Kizomba music. The dance is known to be slow and sensual, it is smooth and flows with movements that are somewhat harsh and require a lot of flexibility in the knees for the frequent bob up and down motion of the dance, lower body, hip movements and “bunda” action if you will, Kizomba is danced in a circle and does forward and backwards movements. Due to the colonization of the Portuguese in Angola, and the presence of Cubans during the Civil War, other form of dances from Europe such as Tango, Plena from Puerto Rico brought by the Cuban also exist in Angola. These dances as well, influenced Kizomba, such as Cuban Son, Milonga, Tango and therefore Kizomba has also been described as the “African Tango.” In Angola, there is not a big difference between Kizomba the dance and Semba however, the Kizomba music and Semba music differs dramatically.

There are several versions about the origin of the kizomaba. After some studies it seems that the first musical genre that gave rise to the kizomba was the vele, a dance and music that the slaves who came to Martinique from Africa danced.

Even though there are other versions that claim that the dance of Kizomba, was born as such in the decade of the 80, in Luanda, the capital of Angola. There were several Angolan artists who started creating songs derived from the Semba, the fashionable dance in the 50s and 60s along with other traditional dances, which conquered the public.

The Semba is still very present in the culture of Angola and is usually danced at parties and celebrations.

The kizomba has been danced for years and is very popular in Portugal, Cape Verde and of course in Angola. Although nowadays it is danced in many countries, as in France, Spain, England, Belgium and the United States and it seems that it will continue to spread.