💃🏻 Groove, stomp, twist! Fun and unique dances from around the world

Inspiration Postcard #10: A deep dive into some of the world's most interesting dances

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Reading time: 7ish minutes

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If you want to get a deeper understanding of a country and its culture, study its dances.

Dancing is a joy to watch – and just as fun to learn! 😎

These aren’t just performances, but a bridge to much more.

Through dance, we see history and traditions represented in movement and melody.

We witness identities unfolding, unique world views, and core values of a culture passed down from generations.

If you want a fun and unique cultural experience abroad, attend a dance event. You wont’ regret it.

🌍 The world is enormous, so there are countless dances worth exploring.

However, traveling is easier than ever, so dance events are very accessible. 🔑

In this edition of Inspiration Postcard, we’re going to take a deep dive into five interesting cultural dances from around the world, and:

💃🏻 Explore the dance’s background

🕺🏻 Find the best places to watch the dance performed

🥁 See where you can take classes to learn the dance

Capoeira:

This practice originated from African slaves in Brazil. Capoeira is a combination of dance, sport, and martial arts rolled into one.

Participants are called “players” and how it works is you form a circle called a “roda.” In the center, two players face off against each other in a game called “jogo.”

They fight without touching each other using jumps, kicks, and other fluid movements. White is the primary uniform for players to represent purity. Clapping, chanting, and stringed instruments like the berimbau help set the rhythm for each jogo.

Capoeira is a form of national pride as it represents resistance, strength, and freedom.

Where to watch capoeira:

Bahia, Brazil is the birthplace of capoeira. Other destinations include Rio de Janeiro and Recife. Here you can find many rodas and performances. Mercado Modelo in São Salvador is a good starting point. There are capoeira-themed festivals all over the world. For example, Lisbon recently hosted the European Capoeira Art Festival / European Games.

Where to learn capoeira:

Since Brazil is where capoeira started, going to the source is undoubtedly the best place to learn. According to Visit Brazil, the Associação Capoeira Sul da Bahia located in Arraial D’Ajuda is arguably the best place to learn capoeira. La Lue has a list of the largest capoeira groups in the world.

Polka:

This upbeat partner dance has mysterious roots, but historians say it most likely originated in Bohemia in the 19th century. Bohemia is now part of the modern-day Czech Republic.

The term “polka” stems from the Czech word “půlka” which means “half-step.” This is because the polka is performed at faster 2/4 tempo movements.

Some stories say it originated from a peasant Bohemian girl named Anna Slezáková, while others say it was influenced by the waltz.

By 1835, the dance took Prague by storm, and soon the polka became popular throughout Europe.

Polka has signature hops, skips, and turns, making it a fun partner dance. There are many variations like Chicago polka, Eastern polka, and Polish polka-mazurka.

Where to watch polka dancing:

The International Polka Association (IPA) is a great starting point for all US polka-related events. The 59th National Polka Festival kicks off over Memorial Day Weekend in Ennis, Texas. The International Folk Festiwal Polka happens in central Poland from July 1-7, 2025. Many cities with strong Polish or Czech heritage might also have polka performances.

Where to learn polka dancing:

Polka dancing classes are everywhere. Most polka classes are a quick Google search away. For example, if you’re from the Bay Area, like me, you can head to Palo Alto for Friday Night Waltz. They often offer polka classes before their socials.

Azonto:

Azonto is a relatively new dance Afropop dance style from the Accra region of Ghana.