List of dances
The aim of the list of dances is to collect the most important dances in the world and to list them with a few details.
| Surname | Tact | Art | Country of origin | Emergence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aatteur | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Norway ( Asker ) | |
| Alegría | 12 ⁄ 8 | Solo dance | ||
| Allemande | straight, 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Germany | 16th century |
| American Tribal Style Belly Dance | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | United States | 1960s |
| To Dro | 4 ⁄ 4 | Chain | France ( Brittany ) | |
| To Dro Retourné | 4 ⁄ 4 | Chain, open semicircle | France (Brittany) | |
| Arkán | 2 ⁄ 4 | Men group dance | Ukraine | 14th century |
| Atan | Group dance, circle | Afghanistan | ||
| Bachata | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Dominican Republic | ≈ 1960 |
| Baladi | 8 ⁄ 4 , 4 ⁄ 4 , 2 ⁄ 4 | Solo dance | Egypt | 19th century |
| Balboa | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1920 |
| ballet | Stage dance | Italy , France | 15th and 16th centuries | |
| base | Group dance | |||
| Basse Danse | Step dance | presumably France | 14./15. Century | |
| Bavarian polka | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Bavaria , Austria | ≈ 1850 |
| Beguine | 4 ⁄ 4 , 2 ⁄ 2 | Couple dance | Lesser Antilles , Martinique | ≈ 1930 |
| Bhangra | Men group dance | |||
| Bharatanatyam | Individual and group dance | |||
| blues | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1920 |
| bolero | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Spain | 18th century |
| Boogie woogie | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1920 |
| Bossa Nova | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Brazil | ≈ 1958 |
| Boston | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States, from 1905 also Europe | ≈ 1870 |
| Bourrée | 2 ⁄ 2 , alla breve | Group, couple dance | France | 16th & 17th century |
| Bóyky dance | 2 ⁄ 4 | Men group dance | Ukraine | 8th-9th Century |
| Branle | even and odd | Group dance | France | 16th century |
| Breakdance | 4 ⁄ 4 | Single dance | United States | ≈ 1980 |
| Bučimiš | 15 ⁄ 16 | Row, belt frame | Bulgaria , Western Thrace | |
| Buleria | 12 ⁄ 8 | Solo dance | ||
| Bump | Couple dance | |||
| Butoh | Dance theater | Japan | ≈ 1959 | |
| Buyan jumper | 2 ⁄ 4 | Men's group dance, | Ukraine | 19th century |
| Calango | Couple dance | |||
| Cachucha | 3 ⁄ 4 , 3/8 | Single dance | Spain | |
| Calypso | 2 ⁄ 4 , 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Trinidad and Tobago | ≈ 1900 |
| Canarie | 6 ⁄ 4 , 6 ⁄ 8 u. a. | Row dance | Italy | 16th and 17th centuries |
| cancan | 2 ⁄ 4 | Single dance, row dance | France | ≈ 1830 |
| Candombe | Couple dance | |||
| Capraz | 2 ⁄ 4 | Row, belt frame | Bulgaria , Eastern Thrace | |
| Carimbó | Couple dance | |||
| Céilí | Row dance | |||
| Cerkezko | 9 ⁄ 8 | open circle, V-socket; Shoulder frame when only men are dancing | Bulgaria (Northern Bulgaria) | |
| Ceroc | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | England | ≈ 1980 |
| Cetvorno | 7 ⁄ 16 | Belted row | Bulgaria (Sopluk) | |
| Ciranda | Circle dance | Brazil | ||
| Cha-Cha-Cha | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Cuba | ≈ 1950 |
| Chacarera | 12 ⁄ 8 | Couple dance | Argentina | ≈ 1920 |
| Chaconne | 3 ⁄ 4 , 3 ⁄ 2 | Group dance | probably Spain | 16th century |
| Charleston | 4 ⁄ 4 | Single dance | United States | ≈ 1920 |
| Chasapiko | 4 ⁄ 4 | Individual, group dance | Greece | |
| Chasaposervikos | 2 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Greece | |
| Cobankat | Circle dance | Albania | ||
| Contact improvisation | Individual, group dance | United States | ≈ 1970 | |
| Continental | United States | ≈ 1930 | ||
| Contra dance | ||||
| Cordax | Greek | Antiquity | ||
| Courante | odd | Group dance | France | 16th century |
| Csárdás | Couple dance | Hungary | ||
| Cueca | 12 ⁄ 8 | Chile | ||
| Cumbia | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Colombia | |
| Dabke | 2 ⁄ 4 , 4 ⁄ 4 | Row dance | Middle East ( Lebanon , Palestine , Israel , Jordan etc.) | |
| Dajcovo | 9 ⁄ 16 | open circle, V-socket | Bulgaria (Northern Bulgaria) | |
| Danec | 2 ⁄ 4 | line | Bulgaria ( Dobruja ) | |
| Deninka | 7 ⁄ 16 | Circle dance, W version | Bulgaria ( Pirin ) | |
| German dance | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Germany / Austria | ≈ 1750 |
| Discochart | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Germany | ≈ 1990 |
| Discofox (also Hustle) | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States, Germany / Switzerland | ≈ 1973 |
| Disco swing | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Switzerland | ≈ 1987 |
| Dospatsko | 7 ⁄ 8 | open circle, W version | Pirin) | |
| Lathe operator | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Lower Franconia , Southern Germany , Austria | before 1800 |
| Ecossaise | odd | Group dance | Scotland | 17th century |
| Eleno mome | 7 ⁄ 8 | open circle, V-socket | Bulgaria (Northern Bulgaria) | |
| Embaga | ||||
| Duck dance | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Germany | ≈ 1982 |
| Estampie | 2nd half of the 12th century | |||
| Torch dance | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Europe | Antiquity |
| fandango | 3 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Spain | 18th century |
| Farandole | France | |||
| Faroese chain dance | ||||
| Finnish tango | ||||
| flamenco | - | Group dance with solos | Spain | 16th century |
| Furlana | 6 ⁄ 4 , 6 ⁄ 8 | Italy | 17th century | |
| Forró | 2 ⁄ 4 , 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Brazil | ≈ 1900 |
| Foxtrot | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1910 |
| Francaise | ||||
| Gaillarde | 3 ⁄ 2 | Group pairs | Italy | 14th century |
| gallop | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Germany | before 1800 |
| Gankino | 11 ⁄ 16 | open circle, belt or V socket | Bulgaria (Northern Bulgaria) | |
| gavotte | 2 ⁄ 2 , alla breve | Group dance | France | 16th century |
| Jig | 6 ⁄ 4 , 6 ⁄ 8 u. a. | England | 17th century | |
| Ginka | 7 ⁄ 8 | open circle, W version | Pirin) | |
| Grancarsko | 9 ⁄ 16 | closed circle, V-socket | Bulgaria (Northern Bulgaria) | |
| Graovsko | 2 ⁄ 4 | Belted row | Bulgaria (Sopluk) | |
| Guaguancó | 4 ⁄ 4 | Cuba | ||
| Rubber boot dance | ||||
| Habanera | 2 ⁄ 4 | Cuba | 19th century | |
| Haka | Aotearoa | |||
| Halay | different | Group dance | Kurdish Turkish | |
| Hambo | 3 ⁄ 4 | Sweden | ≈ 1900 | |
| Handler dro | 6 ⁄ 8 | Chain | France ( Brittany ) | |
| Harlem Shake | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | United States | 2013 |
| Enormous | 13/8 | Trio dance | Brazil | 2016 |
| Hiatamadl | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Austria | after 1800 |
| Highland Fling | 4 ⁄ 4 | Single dance | Scotland | |
| Horo (bulg.) / Hora | Group dance | Bulgaria , Israel, Moldova , Romania | ||
| Hopák | 2 ⁄ 4 | Single, couple, group dance, | Ukraine | 16th century |
| Horovód | 4 ⁄ 4 | Circle dance | Russia and Ukraine | 5th-7th Century |
| Hornpipe | 3 ⁄ 2 , 3 ⁄ 4 | Single dance | England | 15th / 16th Century (?) |
| Hula | - | Individual and group dance | Hawaii | unknown |
| Humppa | 2 ⁄ 4 | Individual and group dance | Finland | unknown |
| Hútsul dance | 2 ⁄ 4 | Men group dance | Ukraine | 8th-9th Century |
| Hutsúlotchka | 2 ⁄ 4 | Women group dance | Ukraine | 8th-9th Century |
| Indian hoop dance also known as hoop dance | Dance for spiritual storytelling, solo dance | Anishinabe | ||
| Isa | ||||
| Jenkka | Individual and group dance | Finland | unknown | |
| Jig | 6 ⁄ 4 , 6 ⁄ 8 | Individual, group dance | England | ≈ 16th century |
| Jive | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | African American origin | ≈ 1930 |
| Joropo | Venezuela | |||
| Iota | 3 ⁄ 4 | |||
| Jove malaj mome | 7 ⁄ 16 + 11 ⁄ 16 | open circle, V-socket | Bulgaria (Sopluk) | |
| Jumpstyle | Single and couple dance | Netherlands | ≈ 1990 | |
| Kalamatianos | 7 ⁄ 8 | open semicircle, W-version | Greece | |
| Kasachok | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Russia | 19th century |
| Kathak | ||||
| Kathakali | - | Staging | India ( Kerala ) | 17th century |
| Kizomba | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Angola | circa 1980 |
| Kolbasti | Group dance | Black Sea Region (Turkey) | ||
| Kolomŷika | 2 ⁄ 4 | Group dance, | Ukraine | 12th century |
| Counter dance | 6 ⁄ 8 | Group dance | England | 16th century |
| Kopanica | 11 ⁄ 16 | Open circle, row | Bulgaria | |
| Koprivstica | odd | Circle dance | Bulgaria | 19th century or earlier |
| Krakowiak | 2 ⁄ 4 | Poland | 19th century | |
| Krutyák | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance, couples, circle dance | Ukraine | 19th century |
| Kuchipudi | ||||
| Cross polka | 2 ⁄ 4 | |||
| Cuckoo Polka | 2 ⁄ 4 | |||
| Kyvák | 2 ⁄ 4 | Group dance, | Ukraine | 16th century |
| Lambada | 6 ⁄ 8 | Couple dance | Latin America | 1989 |
| Lander | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance, group dance | Germany (Bavaria), Austria, Switzerland | ≈ 1800 |
| Slow Waltz (also English Waltz) | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | England | ≈ 1920 |
| Legnala Dana | 7 ⁄ 8 | open semicircle | Macedonia | |
| Lémki dance | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance, group dance | Ukraine | 7th-9th Century |
| Letkiss | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Finland | |
| limbo | Single dance | Trinidad and Tobago | ≈ 1950 | |
| Lindy Hop | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1920 |
| line dance | ||||
| Lipsi | 6 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | GDR | 1959 |
| Long Sword Dance | ||||
| Macarena | Dance craze of Los del Río | 1990s | ||
| Maidan jumping | 2 ⁄ 2 | Mass dance | Ukraine | 2014 |
| mambo | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Cuba | ≈ 1940 |
| Mantilatos | 7 ⁄ 16 | |||
| Mapalé | Colombia | |||
| Marinera | ||||
| Maxixes | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Brazil | 1870-80 |
| mazurka | 3/8, 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Poland | 17th century |
| Melbourne Shuffle | Single and couple dance | Australia | ≈ 1990 | |
| Memphis | ||||
| minuet | 3 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | France | 17th century |
| Merengue | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Dominican Republic | 19th century |
| Knife dance | Group dance, guild dance | Germany | 14th century | |
| Milonga | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Argentina | End of the 19th century |
| Montuno | 4 ⁄ 4 | |||
| Muiñeira | ||||
| Murga | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Argentina | End of the 19th century |
| Musette (baroque dance) | 2 ⁄ 2 , 3 ⁄ 4 , 6 ⁄ 8 u. a. | France | 17. & 18. Century | |
| Musette (waltz) | 3 ⁄ 4 , 9 ⁄ 8 | France | 19. & 20. Century | |
| Naddnistryánka | 2 ⁄ 4 | Women group dance | Ukraine | 20th century |
| Night Club Two Step | Couple dance | United States | 1960s | |
| Odissi | ||||
| Omal | 2 ⁄ 4 | Circle dance | Greece ( Pontos ) | |
| Onestepp | 2 ⁄ 4 | United States | ≈ 1900 | |
| Grandpas | 2 ⁄ 4 | Male dance, straight row, belt socket | Bulgaria ( Dobruja ) | |
| Oriental dance , also belly dance | Solo dance | Egypt | ≈ 1920 | |
| Pachanga , also Merenconga | 4 ⁄ 4 | Solo dance, couple dance | Latin America | early 1960s |
| Palotás | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Hungary | |
| Pajdusko | 5 ⁄ 16 | open circle | Bulgaria (Northern Bulgaria) | |
| Para Para | Japan | |||
| Paso Doble | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Spain, South America | ≈ 1945 |
| Passacaglia | 3 ⁄ 2 , 3 ⁄ 4 | Spain / Italy | 16th century | |
| Pavane | straight | Group dance | Italy | 16th century |
| Perreo | Fashion dance | Late 1990s | ||
| Pljaska | Russia | |||
| Pogo | straight | Group dance | United States | 20th century |
| polka | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Bohemia | ≈ 1830 |
| Polka Hálytsjka "Cuckoo's Polka" | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance, | Ukraine | 17th century |
| Polonaise | 3 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Poland | 16th century |
| Poltávka | 3 ⁄ 4 | Women group dance, | Ukraine | 17th century |
| Pravo Trakijsko | 2 ⁄ 4 | open circle, V or belt setting | Bulgaria ( Thrace ) | |
| quadrille | 2 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | France | 18th century |
| Quickstepp | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | 20th century |
| Rabbit dance | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1900 |
| Rapper Sword | ||||
| Raspa | 6 ⁄ 8 | Couple dance | South America | 1950 |
| Raving | - | Group dance | Worldwide | 20th century |
| reel | 2 ⁄ 2 | Group, couple dance | Scotland | ≈ 16th century |
| Round dance | - | Group dance | Europe | ≈ 1100 |
| Rhinelander | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Germany | ≈ 1840 |
| Rigaudon | 2 ⁄ 2 , alla breve | France | 17th century | |
| Rock and roll | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1955 |
| Robot dance | ||||
| Rodopsko | 2 ⁄ 4 | open semicircle | Bulgaria ( Rhodope Mountains ) | |
| Round dance | Couple, group dance | United States | ||
| Rukavice | Circle dance | Croatia | ||
| rumba | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Cuba | 19th century |
| Salsa | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Cuba | ≈ 1960 |
| Saltarello | 6 ⁄ 8 | Couple dance | Italy | |
| samba | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Brazil | ≈ 1920 |
| Sarabande | 3 ⁄ 2 , 3 ⁄ 4 | Spain | 16th century | |
| Sardana | 2 ⁄ 4 , 6 ⁄ 8 | Circle dance | Catalonia | |
| Saya | ||||
| Sborenka | 2 ⁄ 4 | Male dance, cross version in front | Bulgaria ( Dobruja ) | |
| Shepherd dance | ||||
| Scottish | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Germany, Austria | ≈ 1810 |
| Schuhplattler | 3 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Upper Bavaria | 19th century |
| Sword dance | Group dance | Europe | 14th century | |
| Scottish Country Dance | 3 ⁄ 4 , 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Scotland | 18th century |
| Seguiriya | 12 ⁄ 8 | Solo dance, flamenco | Spain (Andalusia) | 19th century |
| Sestorka | 7 ⁄ 8 | Row of 6 men | Serbia | |
| Serpentine dance | United States | End of the 19th century | ||
| Sevillana | Folk dance | Spain (Andalusia) | ||
| shag | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | 1920 |
| Shim Sham | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | United States | 1950 |
| Shimmy | 2 ⁄ 4 , 2 ⁄ 2 | Couple dance | United States | 1918 |
| Siciliano | 6 ⁄ 8 | Sicily | 18th century | |
| Sira | 2 ⁄ 4 | open circle, W version | Bulgaria (Northwest Bulgaria) | |
| Sirtaki | Group dance | Greece | 1964, not a traditional dance, was choreographed for Alexis Sorbas | |
| Sirtos | Greece | |||
| Slop | 3 ⁄ 4 | USA, England | ||
| Slowfox | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | England | |
| Soleá | 12 ⁄ 8 | Solo dance, flamenco | Spain (Andalusia) | 19th century |
| Sopsko za pojas | 2 ⁄ 4 | Row, belt frame | Bulgaria (Sopluk) | |
| Soukous | ||||
| Square dance | 4 ⁄ 4 | 4 pairs | United States | |
| Strathspey | 4 ⁄ 4 | Group dance | Scotland | 18th century |
| Tap dance | All | Individual and group dance | United States | 19th century |
| Svistovsko | 4 ⁄ 4 | open circle, W version | Bulgaria (Northern Bulgaria) | |
| Svornato | 9 ⁄ 8 | open circle or row | Bulgaria ( Rhodope Mountains ) | |
| swing | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1930 |
| Tango (standard) | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | France, Europe | ≈ 1910 |
| Tango Argentino | 4 ⁄ 8 | Couple dance | Argentina | ≈ 1880 |
| Tango (flamenco) | 2 ⁄ 4 | Solo, couple or group dance | Andalusia | Around 1900 |
| Tango Waltz, Vals (Vals Cruzado) | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Argentina | Early 20th century |
| Tango Nuevo | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Argentina | Early 21st century |
| Tambourine Volyn-Dance | 4 ⁄ 4 | Single, couple, group dance, | Ukraine | 18th century |
| Tamouré | Couple dance | Tahiti | ||
| tarantella | 6 ⁄ 8 | Group dance | Italy | 18th century |
| Tcherevytchky | 2 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance, group dance | Ukraine | 20th century |
| Tchybyráitchik | 2 ⁄ 4 | Group dance, | Ukraine | 19th century |
| Tecktonik | 4 ⁄ 4 | Paris ; France | 2000 | |
| The Continental | Couple dance | USA Fred Astaire / Ginger Rogers | 1934 | |
| Trepak | Russia | |||
| Tricot = An dro and Hanter dro | 4 ⁄ 4 and 6 ⁄ 8 | Chain | France ( Brittany ) | |
| Trite pati | 2 ⁄ 4 | Circle dance, V-version | Bulgaria, Western Thrace | |
| Troyka | Trio dance | Russia | ||
| Tropanka | 2 ⁄ 4 | Row, V-version | Bulgaria ( Dobruja ) | |
| Tropnalo oro | open semicircle | Macedonia | ||
| Tsifteteli | ||||
| twist | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1960 |
| Two-step | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | ||
| Vals Cruzado | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Argentina | Early 20th century |
| Vari Chasapiko | 4 ⁄ 4 | Greece | Early 20th century | |
| Vlasko | 2 ⁄ 4 | open circle, V-socket; Shoulder frame when men dance alone | Bulgaria (Northwest Bulgaria ) | |
| Volta | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Provence | 16th century |
| West Coast Swing | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | United States | ≈ 1940 |
| Western square dance | ||||
| Whirling | ||||
| Viennese waltz | 3 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Austria | ≈ 1770 |
| Wolosso | Fashion dance | Ivory Coast | 2006 | |
| Zalytsyáinyk | 3 ⁄ 4 | Group dance, | Ukraine | 19th century |
| Zeibekiko | 9 ⁄ 4 , 9 ⁄ 8 | Greece | ||
| Zevensprong | Netherlands | |||
| Zonaradikos | Greece | |||
| Zouk | 4 ⁄ 4 | Couple dance | Guadeloupe and Martinique ( Caribbean ) | ≈ 1980 |
| Zweisteirer | Austria | |||
| Twice | Southern Germany | |||
| Zumba | Latin America |
See also
- Folk dance (with list of folk dances)
Web links
- Music and dance history ( chronicle from 30,000 BC to today ) , Music and Dance
- Dancilla , collection of dances