Zouk

Lambada is a Brazilian dance style which became popular in the 1980's. The origin of the dance is from the northern Brazil dance called “Carimbo”.

Lambada became popular in Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brazil. There, the lambada was danced in the sand in front of the ocean for the local people showing the informality of this dance style. In 1989 the Brazilian musical group “Kaoma” recorded the hit “Lambada” which sold 5 million singles and became famous around the world. The traditional lambada dance was very fast, sensual and provocative, which made people a little intimidated. This with the decrease of the Brazilian music style of lambada caused the popularity to fade.

After 1994 the lambada dancers began to use different musical sources to practice the dance. Rhythms like flamenco and Arabian music were very popular at this time. Soon after, the music style “Zouk” was discovered with its slower paced rhythm and a sensual sound which matched perfectly with the dance.

This combination allowed the dance style to be more accessible to those who may have been intimidated by the original pace. Today “Zouk” music is used worldwide to dance lambada and is fast becoming a very popular dance style.

With its sensual and graceful movements combined with strength and attitude, it is bound to become a party favourite!