Many people have a misconception that Bachata and Kizomba are similar dances. However, that is so far from the truth. The confusion is understandable because both dances are very intimate, and it may seem that they are the same. This article explains the main difference between Bachata and Kizomba dance.
What is the difference between Bachata and Kizomba? Bachata originates from the Dominican Republic, while Kizomba originates from Angola, Southern Africa. They are different dance styles in terms of the basic steps, patterns, rhythm, form, and music.
Bachata is an older dance style, while Kizomba has emerged recently. Bachata has been around since the early 20th century; whereas, Kizomba had emerged in 1984.
There is a huge difference between Bachata and Kizomba music. Bachata music is dominated by bongos and guitar, while kizomba music is dominated by electronic sounds and a heavy bass line.
As you may know, there are many Bachata dance styles that I will discuss later on in this article. One of the Bachata styles is called sensual Bachata and is the only Bachata dance style that has some similarities with Kizomba.
The most popular Bachata basic steps are side to side and taught by many Bachata instructors. You can dance the Bachata in an open, closed, or sensual position.
All Bachata styles are danced in a specific form where you will have three steps and then tap with your foot on the fourth step.
On the other hand, Kizomba dance is always danced in the closed position, and the basic steps are called the basic slow (see the video below). The connection between dance partners is very important because their chest, hips, and legs need to synchronize to dance well.
What Is Kizomba Dance?
Kizomba is a partner dance that originates from Angola, a country on the West Coast of Southern Africa. Lots of people confuse Kizomba with Zumba, which is not the same.
Kizomba means party, and it has a very marked beat, which makes it easy to dance on time. It is a grounded dance, where one of the main factors is to control where you and your partner put your body weight.
In Kizomba dance, partners need to make a connection with the head, chest, and knees. The better connection you have easier it is to lead and follow. It is important for the lead to hold the follower’s back firmly with a soft embrace.
The connection between the dance partners is the most important in Kizomba dance. Some dancers have such a strong connection that it almost seems as they have become one person. The lead needs to be precise, confident and needs to lead without any hesitation.
How To Dance Kizomba?
Kizomba has several basic step variations that have their own timing. There are a few Kizomba dance moves that bring the dancers away from the basic steps patterns.
The main challenge in Kizomba dance is for the leader and the follower to stay synchronized in their steps.
The most basic Kizomba steps are side-to-side moves. It starts with the leader being on the left foot and the follower on the right. The leader steps to the side with the left foot then bring the right foot together with the left in a tap. Note to the leaders- do not leave your weight on the right foot. Then the leader steps to the right with the right foot and brings the left foot together next to the right foot for a tap step.
The pattern then repeats. Each pattern takes one measure to complete – with a step or tap on each beat. The follower mirrors the leader with the opposite foot.
Kizomba has 4/4 timing which means that there are four beats in every measure of the music.
There are more complicated steps in Kizomba, which I will be discussing in a different article.
Here is a fantastic example of Kizomba dance steps.
Is Kizomba Easy To Learn?
Basic Kizomba is relatively easy to learn. Kizomba is all about paying attention to details. You cannot dance Kizomba without a partner, so it is important that you and your dance partner are at the same level.
Good synchronization between the dance partners is crucial when it comes to dancing Kizomba. So, try to find a dance partner that you trust and can practice regularly.
Also, find a Kizomba instructor that has a good background in dancing Kizomba because you want to learn to dance Kizomba properly the first time around.
What Is Bachata Dance?
Bachata is a beautiful and romantic dance from the Dominican Republic that originated in the early 20 century. The music is very similar to Bolero. The Bachata songs are sorrowful, and all about heartbreaks, but the dance shows how we cope with heartbreaks and everything sad that love brings.
Bachata is danced with 4 step timing. You go 1,2,3, and tap, and then 5,6,7, and tap. So, dancers always tap on 4 and 8. The hips are slightly bent so the dancer can sway hips easier. The beauty of the Bachata dance is in the hip movements. In Bachata dancing, the focus is on the hip movements and not very much on the upper body.
During Bachata dance, a lead decides if they will perform an open or closed position. Bachata performance depends significantly on the music being played, mood, atmosphere, and interpretation.
Bachata Dance Styles
- Original Dominican Bachata. The original Dominican Bachata came from the Dominican Republic in the early ’50s. Back then, Bachata was danced in a closed position only like Balero. The original Bachata is now most prevalent in Carribeans with much faster turns and rhythm while alternating between closed and open positions.
- Traditional Bachata. The traditional style is a fundamental bachata dance style that originated in the early 90s. Traditional Bachata is danced in a closed position between partners while making soft hip movements and tap on the fourth step (1,2,3, move your hips slightly and tap).
- Modern Bachata. Modern Bachata originated in Spain in 2005. In the modern Bachata style, partners move their upper body more while emphasizing hip movements, especially female dancers. The inspiration for the modern Bachata style comes from the adoption of salsa turn patterns.
- Bachata Sensual. As the name of this style says, it is a very sensual dance style. As with Modern Bachata, Bachata Sensual also originates from Spain. This dance style emphasizes the music and the beat while doing circular movements and sensual body waves.
- Bachata Tango. Bachata Tango is a combination of Bachata and Tango dance styles. The hip “pop” (4th step) is used to increase sensuality, taken from Tango. It contains the traditional basic steps, but it is danced like Tango.
If you want to dive deeper and take a look at examples for each of the Bachata dance styles, check out this article.
Here is an excellent example of how to dance the Bachata for beginners.
Which Dance Style Is Easier To Learn?
If you are entirely new to dancing, I would suggest learning the Bachata first because it is a more beginner-friendly dance style. Also, Bachata is a more popular dance style, so you will have more chances of dancing the Bachata socially than Kizomba.
Kizomba basic steps are very simple, but as you progress into more complicated steps and routines, you will encounter difficulties. Kizomba has very complicated dance steps and is a very technical dance style, similar to Tango.
Final Words
There is no doubt that learning either the Bachata or Kizomba will benefit you greatly. Learning to dance is a great skill to have in your life. I hope that this article has shed some light on the main difference between Bachata and Kizomba and that it helps you decide which dance style is better for you to learn.
