Lambada / Zouk
Description of the dance
This stylish and sensual dance develops coordination and balance through its smooth, flowing body motion. Its freedom of movement enables couples to move both together and separately, and to express their shared energy on the dance floor.
History of the dance
Lambada evolved as a way to dance to Carimbó, an African rhythm from the Amazon. Because of the Amazon’s closeness to the Caribbean, the music was influenced by rhythms such as cumbia and merengue.
Many old reports from Pará indicate that at this time, a radio station existed that played many popular and vibrant songs and called them ‘Lambadas’. This word then transformed from an adjective to a noun, ‘Lambada’ which baptized the name of the rhythm.
The success of the dance in this area brought it to the northeast of Brazil, where it was influenced by Forro. It came to Porto Seguro in the south of Bahia with the name “Lambada”, and was danced by couples very close to each other.
During the Carnaval of the early 1980s Bahia had the opportunity to show Lambada to the rest of Brazil, where it spread very quickly.
Two French businessmen are responsible for the new and now popular phase of Lambada. They took the band “Kaoma” to Europe and the dance exploded internationally from there, reaching as far as Japan. The dance returned to Brazil in 1989 with variations including many turns and new aerial steps. Due to the success of Kaoma, many more bands took advantage of the opportunity to play Lambada music.
After intensive success, Lambada music all but disappeared in Brazil, with the remaining enthusiasts seeking new music that would allow them to continue to practice Lambada.
Zouk in Brazil
Zouk, meaning “party” in a French Creole dialect, came about as a new way for Brazilians to dance Lambada. Zouk music originated in the French Caribbean islands such as Guadalupe and Martinica. The dance there is very different from that of Brazil where it is a modern interpretation of Lambada.
In Brazil the dance has evolved using the French Caribbean music, absorbing smoother movements. Some people even call this French Lambada.
The dance survives in Brazil in the form of Zouk, as Lambada carries a negative public perception. Zouk is considered to be a more refined dance and music style than Lambada.
Nowadays, new Brazilian bands are starting to play Zouk.
