War, hunt and challenge
Preparing for a fight, recalling one, or showing strength.
🇳🇿 New ZealandHaka
A ceremonial group dance from New Zealand featuring vigorous movement and chanted words.Folk dance · Group
🇮🇳 IndiaKalaripayattuകളരിപ്പയറ്റ്
An ancient Indian martial art from Kerala involving weapons, strikes, and healing.War or martial dance
🇭🇺 HungaryVerbunkos
A Hungarian recruiting dance with slow and fast sections played by Romani musicians.Folk dance · Group
🇦🇫 Afghanistan and 2 moreAttanاتڼ
A fast-paced circle dance of the Pashtun people, performed at celebrations and gatheringsFolk dance · Circle · Group
🇲🇦 MoroccoAhidusⴰⵃⵢⴷⵓⵙ (aḥidous)
A Berber circle dance from Morocco, performed by tribes for celebration and unity.Folk dance · Circle · Line or chain
🇮🇩 IndonesiaWar dance
A ritual or ceremonial dance that imitates combat or battleWar or martial dance · Group · Solo
🇿🇦 South Africa and 1 moreIndlamu
A Zulu and Ndebele dance with high kicks and stamping, once linked to warriorsFolk dance · Couple · Group
🇲🇦 MoroccoTaskiwinⵜⴰⵙⴽⵉⵡⵉⵏ / تاسكيوين
A martial dance of Morocco's High Atlas where every man dances with a decorated hornFolk dance · Group
🇳🇿 New ZealandKa Mate
A Māori haka composed by Te Rauparaha to celebrate survival from enemies.Ritual dance · Group
🇫🇯 FijiCibi
A Fijian war dance and victory chant used by rugby teamsFolk dance · Group
🇲🇦 MoroccoReggadaالرڭادة
A Amazigh war dance from northeastern Morocco using rifles and drums.Folk dance · Group
🇸🇴 Somalia and 1 moreDhaanto
A Somali folk dance once ridden on horseback to boost troop moraleFolk dance
🇺🇬 UgandaOtole
A traditional Acholi war dance featuring mock combat, drums, and protective formations.Folk dance · Procession · Group
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Haka: Merrett, Joseph Jenner, 1816-1854., Public domain, source
- Taskiwin: EL-MASOUDYMOHAMED, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- War dance: Gunawan Kartapranata, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Dhaanto: aflaanta std, CC BY 3.0, source
- Indlamu: Ernmuhl at lb.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Ahidus: Fotograaf / photographer: Drs. F.M. (Frits) Cowan (1931 - 2010), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Kalaripayattu: Ginu Plathottam, CC0, source
- Verbunkos: József Bikkessy Heinbucher, Public domain, source
- Cibi: Jason Eckmire, CC BY 2.0, source
- Ka Mate: Alasdair Massie, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Reggada: Dounia Benjelloun-Mezian, CC BY-SA 4.0, source