Lambada history & the Modern Lambada danced to Zouk Music

The word Lambada refers to both the rhythm of the music (a fusion of Carimbó and merengue), and to the dance itself, which incorporates elements of other Latin dances like the Forró, the Samba, and the Maxixe. The dance is different from its modern form today!

The rhythm originated in the Amazon, was later adopted by Bahians, who then proceeded to create the steps...and the rest is history…

Although modern Lambada is a real mix of influences - it has the Carimbó as its main foundation.

The Carimbó was a common dance in northern Brazil. It's a very loose, and very sensual dance in which the woman tries to cover the man with loads of spins and rounded skirts.

Over time the dance, and its music, was influenced by music from the Caribbean and it began to evolve. New rhythms were introduced, and this inevitably altered the way in which the Carimbó was danced.

After a while, a local radio station called this new music 'the rhythms of Lambada' - Lambada being another word in the local language for a 'strong hit'.

This had strong appeal, and the word 'Lambada' soon began to be associated with this new modern face of the old dancing style.

Lambada soon began to spread south, and was eventually noticed by some French music producers. They were really taken by this new, unfamiliar sound, took it home and produced Kaoma's 1989 number 1 hit 'Lambada'.

At this stage the Lambada was still danced in its original form, which saw the couple dancing apart, with side-to-side steps.

But, as it grew in popularity, and the dance started appearing in films and videos, the hold and steps changed. A lack of skilled dancers, and increased influences from other more established Latin dances, meant that it was soon being danced in its now recognisable form - in hold, with steps forward and back.

HOW ROUTINES DID LOOK

The Lambada is a very passionate, sensuous, close, sexy and sultry partner dance.

It should retain a 'soft' feel but benefit from a strong hold throughout.

It was originally known as the forbidden dance.

Lambada is danced with the whole body, not just the legs.

The dance is fluid, with most of the work going on waist up. We should see lots of winding hip movements, turns and plenty of spins.

The hold is slightly offset, so that partners can step and kick between each other's feet.

In fact, the word Lambada is an obscure Brazilian Portuguese word, and refers to the wave like motion induced in a whip. This flowing wave motion is reproduced by the dancer's bodies, and is one of the main elements that distinguish Lambada from other Latin dances.

The woman should look even more fluid than the man. Her entire upper body should roll, with particular attention paid to head rolls. Top Lambada dancers can get their head virtually to the floor.

The lady should perform on balls of her feet (heels off the ground - as if tip-toeing on hot sand), with a twisting motion so that their steps become more of a "grind" (as if stubbing out a cigarette).

There should be lots of drops, but partners must remain close throughout a routine, with knees slightly bent.

Continue………….

WHAT ROUTINES DID INCLUDE

The single 'preparation step' can be danced as a hip lift (simply lifting the foot off the ground), or as a small kick (left, right, left, kick,right,left, right,kick).

This emphasises a couples hip movements and is characterised by very close hip positioning between partners, and fast paced swaying action from side to side.

Corta Jaca

A basic lambada step that includes forward and backward footwork.

Grapevine

A Grapevine is a classic dance basic, and is employed in the Lambada. It's a sideways movement, with the man leading the woman through cross steps. In order to travel the feet are open, and then cross.

Hip Sway

A diagonal side step with loads of hip sway.

Other steps include the Boneca and Paddle Turns.

See Lambada today to discover the Modern dance that it is now most commonly danced to Zouk Music and danced International