Semba

Semba is a music genre and dance from Angola with a strong influence of cultural traditions of the Bantu ethnic groups and African Rhythms such as Kazukuta and Kabetule.

Semba means “the touch of the belly button”, you can clearly see this movement in Rebita dance.

As a dance, initially it was a solo dance, which today we call Semba Traditional or Semba Carnival.

First, dance developed from a solo into group dance - Rebita or Massemba are danced by group of couples walking in a circle and from 1950’s it is a couple dance to enjoy on the home parties and in night clubs. Now you can dance Semba everywhere including International dance festivals.

Rebita Dance

Get the feeling of Carnival

Tatjana & Tiina

Semba Social after class demo

Song - Ta Malé by Puto Portugues

Semba dance can include many different tricks – Semba Show. Some simple tricks can be done also during the social dance, but more complicated and acrobatic tricks are for the stage and competitions.

Semba songs traditionally are sung in Kimbundu (a Bantu language widely spoken in north Angola) and the topic of songs is a day by day life, social events and activities, including politics.