Brazil (Pará), 1980s
LAMBADA
The forbidden dance of the 90s summers
Born in northern Brazil, particularly in the state of Pará, Lambada synthesizes Carimbó, Forró, Colombian Cumbia, and Caribbean Merengue. It exploded worldwide in the summer of 1989 with the hit song "Lambada" by the group Kaoma, becoming within months the flagship dance of beaches, clubs, and music videos.
On the floor, it is danced as a couple in very close embrace, with one leg inserted between the partner's, and a continuous undulation of the hips. Its fast rotations, arched figures, and sensual flavor earned it the nickname "the forbidden dance" at the time. After the commercial wave receded, its undulations were transposed onto the slower tempo of Zouk, giving birth to contemporary Brazilian Zouk.
How it's danced
Technique & figures
Lambada is danced as a couple, in very close position, to fast two-beat music (around 120 bpm). Weight is constantly swayed from one foot to the other with a strong undulation of the hips.
Styles and fundamentals
The basic step relies on a lateral sway over three counts, with a marked lean of the torso. Turns are initiated by an arm impulse and often end with an arched back for the follower.
Main figures
- 01
Lateral sway
The undulating basic step, with weight transfer from one foot to the other.
- 02
Piqué spin turn
A fast turn of the follower, initiated by a simple arm impulse.
- 03
Cambré
An arched backbend of the follower's torso, an emblematic figure of Lambada's visual style.
Reading the music
Kaoma, Beto Barbosa, Carimbó, electric forró.
Did you know?
Explore the rhythms
Cross connections
Styles from other families that share a common language with Lambada.