Dances with the drums
22 dances from around the world that are danced to the drums.
🇨🇿 Czech Republic and 5 morePolka
A lively partner dance in 2/4 time from 19th-century BohemiaFolk dance · Couple · Circle
🇮🇳 IndiaBharatanatyamபரதநாட்டியம்
A South Indian classical dance from Tamil Nadu, performed solo in temples and on stages.Classical dance · Solo
🇮🇳 IndiaYakshaganaಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ
A coastal Karnataka dance-drama performed from dusk to dawn with elaborate costumes and live music.Classical dance · Group
🇮🇳 IndiaTheyyamതെയ്യം
A North Malabar ritual dance where performers become deities through song and elaborate makeup.Ritual dance · Solo
🇲🇦 MoroccoAhidusⴰⵃⵢⴷⵓⵙ (aḥidous)
A Berber circle dance from Morocco, performed by tribes for celebration and unity.Folk dance · Circle · Line or chain
🇯🇲 JamaicaKumina
A Jamaican spirit-healing dance tradition rooted in Kongo ancestry and drumming.Ritual dance
🇲🇲 MyanmarYeinယိမ်း
A traditional Burmese group dance featuring synchronized body movements to drum beats.Folk dance · Group
🇲🇼 Malawi and 3 moreNyau
A masked ritual dance of the Chewa people in Central and Southern AfricaRitual dance · Group
🇧🇷 BrazilLambada
A close-contact partner dance from Brazil with side-to-side hip movement and spins.Social dance · Couple
🇪🇸 Spain and 1 moreJota
A lively Spanish folk dance with castanets and regional costumesFolk dance · Group
🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo and 2 moreSoukous
A fast-paced Congolese dance music style with intricate guitar work and energetic movement.Social dance
🇹🇭 Thailand and 1 moreMenoraมโนราห์
A traditional Thai dance-drama from the south, featuring acrobatics and ornate costumes.Dance-drama · Group
🇨🇺 Cuba and 1 morePachanga
A lively Cuban partner dance with a bouncing knee action and strong downbeat.Social dance · Couple
🇺🇸 United States and 4 moreBoogaloobugalú
A 1960s New York dance style blending Latin rhythms with American soul and jazz.Social dance
🇫🇮 Finland and 5 moreLetkajenkka
A Finnish novelty line dance featuring a distinctive hopping rhythm and left-foot lead.Folk dance · Line or chain
🇯🇵 Japan and 5 moreYosakoiよさこい
An energetic group dance from Japan using wooden clappers and modern music.Folk dance · Group
🇲🇼 Malawi and 2 moreVimbuzaGule wa Vimbuza
A healing dance of spirit possession performed by the Tumbuka people to restore balance and cure illness.Ritual dance · Solo · Group
🇲🇽 MexicoHuapango
A Mexican couple dance on a wooden platform, accompanied by violins and strummed guitars.Folk dance · Couple
🇺🇬 UgandaLarakaraka
An Acholi courtship dance of jumps and spins performed at weddings in Uganda.Folk dance · Group
🇧🇷 Brazil and 1 moreLundu
An Afro-Brazilian couple dance with flirtatious roots and African rhythmsFolk dance · Couple
🇺🇬 UgandaEkitaguriro
A Ugandan folk dance celebrating cattle and community milestones.Folk dance · Group
🇵🇦 PanamaTamborito
A Panamanian couple's dance performed in a circle with drums and clapping.Folk dance · Circle · Couple
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Bharatanatyam: Arian Zwegers, CC BY 2.0, source
- Polka: Chaffee A-ii, Public domain, source
- Pachanga: Joel Riedesel, CC BY 2.0, source
- Lambada: Fábio Nunes, CC BY 2.0, source
- Larakaraka: Tabwoch, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Ekitaguriro: Aubry Arihona, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Vimbuza: unesco, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Theyyam: Shagil Kannur, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Huapango: AlejandroLinaresGarcia, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Soukous: BIB39, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Burmese dance: Scott O'Connor, Public domain, source
- Menora: AjarnRichard, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Yakshagana: Krishnamoorthy Sudhakar, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Lundu: Johann Moritz Rugendas, Public domain, source
- Yosakoi: d. FUKA, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Ahidus: Fotograaf / photographer: Drs. F.M. (Frits) Cowan (1931 - 2010), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Gulewamkulu: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Jota: Fernando, CC BY-SA 2.0, source