Culture
Dance Styles of the World
Dance forms from cultures around the world — from classical ballet to Pakistani khattak.
dancecultureperforming artstraditionsworld
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Dance↕ | Origin↕ | Type↕ | Description↕ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ballet | France / Italy | Classical | Formal, technique-driven dance with pointe shoes, tutus, and graceful movements. |
| Salsa | Cuba / Puerto Rico | Latin | Partner dance with quick footwork, hip movements, and Afro-Caribbean rhythms. |
| Tango | Argentina / Uruguay | Latin | Passionate partner dance with dramatic pauses, close embrace, and improvisation. |
| Hip-Hop | United States | Street | Urban dance style with breaking, popping, locking, and freestyle moves. |
| Flamenco | Spain | Folk / Classical | Rhythmic footwork, hand clapping, guitar, passionate expression. Andalusian roots. |
| Bharatanatyam | India (Tamil Nadu) | Classical | Ancient Indian classical dance. Complex footwork, hand gestures (mudras), facial expression. |
| Kathak | India / Pakistan | Classical | Storytelling through dance. Rapid footwork, spins (chakkars), expressive abhinaya. Mughal and Hindu traditions. |
| Khattak Dance | Pakistan (KPK) | Folk / Martial | Pashtun martial dance with swords. Energetic, rhythmic, performed at celebrations. |
| Bhangra | Punjab (Pakistan/India) | Folk | Energetic Punjabi harvest dance. Wide arm movements, high kicks, dhol drums. |
| Samba | Brazil | Latin | Fast-paced, rhythmic dance central to Carnival. Infectious energy and hip movement. |
| Waltz | Austria / Germany | Ballroom | Elegant 3/4 time partner dance. Smooth, flowing movements in a closed hold. |
| Breakdancing | United States (Bronx) | Street | Athletic street dance with power moves, freezes, and toprock. Olympic sport since 2024. |
| Belly Dance (Raqs Sharqi) | Middle East / Egypt | Folk / Performance | Torso-focused dance with undulations, shimmies, and hip articulation. |
| Capoeira | Brazil (African roots) | Martial / Dance | Afro-Brazilian martial art disguised as dance. Acrobatic, rhythmic, in a roda circle. |
| Irish Step Dance | Ireland | Folk | Rapid footwork with stiff upper body. Riverdance made it globally famous. |
| Kabuki Dance | Japan | Classical / Theater | Theatrical Japanese dance-drama with elaborate costumes, makeup, and stylized movements. |
| Hula | Hawaii | Folk / Sacred | Traditional Hawaiian dance telling stories through graceful hand and hip movements. |
| K-Pop Choreography | South Korea | Pop / Modern | Synchronized group choreography. Sharp, precise, visually striking. Global phenomenon. |
| Sufi Whirling (Sema) | Turkey | Spiritual | Meditative spinning practiced by Mevlevi dervishes. Represents spiritual journey to divine love. |
| Bollywood Dance | India | Film / Fusion | Fusion of classical Indian, folk, and Western styles. Colorful, energetic, cinematic. |
| Contemporary Dance | USA / Europe | Modern | Versatile, expressive dance combining ballet, modern, and jazz. Emotional storytelling. |
| Swing / Lindy Hop | United States | Social | Jazz-era partner dance. Energetic, improvisational, with aerials and kicks. |
| Dabke | Levant (Palestine, Lebanon) | Folk | Line dance with stomping and linked arms. Performed at celebrations and weddings. |
| Attan | Afghanistan / Pakistan | Folk / Martial | Circular Pashtun dance performed at weddings and national events. Fast-paced and communal. |
| Luddi | Punjab (Pakistan) | Folk | Joyous Punjabi male folk dance. Circular formation, hand clapping, celebrating victories. |
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