Kizomba: learn the connection dance from Angola

What is kizomba?

Kizomba is both a partner dance and a music genre from Angola. Its name means “party” in Kimbundu, one of the country’s languages. It is danced in close connection with your partner, to slow, swaying music, with fluid movements and steps kept very close to the floor.

Unlike salsa, kizomba has few spectacular figures: everything is based on walking together, leading and listening to the music. That’s what makes it both accessible to beginners and fascinating to explore in depth.

Origins and history of kizomba

Kizomba was born in Angola in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It descends directly from semba, the faster, more festive popular dance and music of Angola. Angolan musicians slowed down the semba tempo and blended it with zouk from the French Caribbean, which was very popular at the time.

Singer and musician Eduardo Paim is considered the father of kizomba music: he introduced synthesisers and drum machines into semba to create this instantly recognisable sound. The dance then spread to Portugal, thanks to the Angolan and Cape Verdean diaspora, and then throughout Europe and the rest of the world from the 2000s onwards.

To find out more: the history and origins of kizomba.

Kizomba music

Kizomba music is recognisable by its slow tempo, its very pronounced bass line and its soft melodies, often sung in Portuguese. It is counted in 4, which makes the first steps easier for beginners.

There is generally traditional kizomba, warm and close to its Angolan roots, and the more modern sounds of urban kiz, influenced by R&B, hip-hop or electronic music. Alongside Eduardo Paim, artists such as Kaysha and Nelson Freitas have helped make kizomba known beyond Angola.

Kizomba basic steps

The step names come from Portuguese. Here are the ones you learn first:

• The walk (passada or caminhada): the heart of kizomba. The couple walks together, in rhythm, transferring body weight from one leg to the other.
• The basic step: a step on the spot or with a slight shift, letting you “breathe” with the music.
• The saída (exit): the leader takes the couple out of the walking line to open up the dance and link figures.
• The virgula (comma): a pivot that lets you change direction while keeping the connection with your partner.
• The balancé: a rocking weight shift, ideal for marking the pauses in the music.

In kizomba, the quality of the walk and the lead matter far more than the number of figures. Master these basics first; the rest will come naturally.

Kizomba, semba, tarraxinha, urban kiz: what are the differences?

Each style is explained in detail, with videos, in our article on the 4 styles of kizomba dance. Urban kiz even has its own article.

How to learn kizomba

• Take a few classes: connection and leading are best learnt with a teacher, who corrects your posture from the start.
• Listen to lots of kizomba music to soak up the rhythm and spot the strong beats.
• Go to parties: dancing with different partners is how you progress fastest.
• Be patient: kizomba looks simple, but a fluid walk and precise lead take practice.

All our tips for getting started are in our article discover kizomba, the Angolan dance.

Frequently asked questions about kizomba

Is kizomba hard to learn?

The first steps are quick to learn, because kizomba is based on walking. The challenge then lies in the quality of the connection and the lead, which take practice.

Do I need to bring a partner?

No: in most classes and parties, you change partners regularly. It’s actually the best way to progress.

What is the difference between kizomba and bachata?

Both are sensual partner dances, but bachata comes from the Dominican Republic and is danced with a side step and a small marked pause, while kizomba comes from Angola and is based on a fluid walk in close connection. Also discover our bachata guide.