20 Best African Dance Of All Time

Africans are unique for many reasons, one of which is their dance culture. The African dance moves are so unique and vast that they are often replicated and celebrated by Western nations.

Africans display the happiness and wholeness that are found in their vast cultural heritage through the timeless art of dance.

Throughout the years, amazing and interesting dance moves have come out of the African continent, and here are twenty of the best African dances of all time according to research, mass appeal, and overall trends.

Here are the best African dance of all time;

Galala Dance (Nigeria)

Azonto is one of the most popular African dances of all time. The West African dance is said to have gotten its influence from the Kpanlongo; a traditional dance of the GA natives in Ghana. Azonto was popularized by West African mainstream acts such as Fuse ODG, Sarkodie, and Wizkid. The dance has been replicated online and offline by millions.

Mopacho (Congo Brazzaville)

The Bela is a dance move that requires a lot of personality and balance. The dance is beloved in Angola and was made popular in 2018 by the Angolan music quartet- Os Detroia. It involves leaning back while simultaneously tapping forward with your right foot.

Yahooze (Nigeria)

Gweta is a dance move from Francophone-speaking Country; Togo. The dance became popular when Togolese music duo, Toofan released their 2014 international smash hit ‘Gweta’. The dance is highly regarded as one of the biggest dance trends to have ever crossed the Togolese borders.

Etighi (Nigeria)

Zekethe is a South African dance that is loved by many youths in the country. The Zekethe is one of the best African dances of all time. There is a semblance between the Zekethe and Nigeria’s ‘Etighi’. The popular Amapiano song by Mr. JazzQ, titled, ‘Umsebenzi  Wethu’ influenced the dance move. 

Miondoko (Kenya)

 Although recent, the Miondoko has earned its place amongst the best African dance of all time. The dance was made popular in 2022 by the Kenyan Gengetone music group; Rico Gang. 

Empele (Uganda)

The Legwork or otherwise known as the Zanku is a Nigerian dance move. The Legwork is one of the most engaging African dance steps in recent times, and its originality is often credited to popular Nigerian rapper, Zlatan Ibile. 

Maplorly (Ivory Coast)

The Vosho is a popular dance from South Africa. The dance is one of the best African dances of all time and it involves the emphatic movement of squatting down while kicking a foot almost immediately. The minimal raw beats of the Gqom music genre inspired this invigorating dance move.

Chimwemwe (Zambia)

The Gwara Gwara is a popular dance move that was brought to light by South African DJ, Dj Bongz. A fluid dance that shares similarities with America’s ‘Stanky Leg’, and has been performed by Foreign Mainstream acts like Childish Gambino(This Is America), and Rihanna(60th edition Grammy performance). 

Skelewu (Nigeria)

The Choco Bodi is a viral dance move from Ghana and it’s also one of the best African dances.  It was made popular by Ghanaian hot-stepper, A-star.

Ndombolo (Congo)

The One Corner dance was an absolute virus that plagued many, especially in West African nations like Ghana, and Nigeria. It was made popular by Ghanaian artist, Patapaa.

Shoki (Nigeria)

Shoki is a Nigerian dance that became popular in 2014 through the ingenious wit of Nigerian rapper and songwriter, Lil Kesh. The rapper released a song(with the same name) accompanied by a music video in which he and other people in the music visuals displayed a new dance that soon spread like Wildfire amongst Nigerians and other West African Nations.