Azonto Dance

Azonto is an original Ghanaian expressive dance and music form.

The African dance form incorporates complex co-ordinated body movement and non-verbal communication in a rhythmic fashion in very few one-two timed steps. Just like most African dances, knee bending and hip movements are rudiments to dancing it. The dance has effectively evolved from a few rudimentary moves to embrace depictions of ironing,washing, driving, boxing, grooming, praying, swimming, and others.

Generally, the dance reflects the creativity and rich sense of humour of the Ghanaian people. The dance, which is usually performed with an accompanying smile, evolved from the combination of several local dance moves that originated from the southern-most part of Ghana during the early 2000s. The dance has evolved with the fast pace dance culture of modern West Africa. It is also true that before the dance became famous, youth in senior high schools of Ghana had a similar but different way of doing the dance. A modification of that is what we see today. It involved a similar movement of the feet, hands, and hips and, at the end of every move, a gun shot was mimicked with the hand and, if possible, the mouth.

Azonto, when taught effectively can be learned within ten minutes.

History

The origin of the dance is speculated to be Bukom, Chorkor, and James Town. The name is however derived from a popular dance in senior high schools in Ghana, though the high school version was a bit different; it incorporated rigorous hip movements. The dance is believed to have spread to other parts of the capital city by visitors who went to a popular street bar called Club House, which is frequented by inhabitants of Bukom on weekends. However, the popularity of the Azonto dance, both on local and international platforms, has been propagated by a new wave of entertainment talents emerging from Accra. Azonto became more popular when hiplife artists like Gasmilla, Sarkodie, E.L, Tiffany, Appietus, Castro,Asamoah Gyan, R2Bees, Stay Jay, Eduwoji, and others made songs based on the rhythm of the dance.

Origin

The dance was first called "Apaa" (which means work) by the people of Bukom, Swalaba and its environs. This was to represent movements activities like ironing, washing, driving, boxing etc. that were associated with the dance. However,the term 'azonto' which was popularly used among senior high school students to refer to life later became accepted by the larger population as the name for the dance. The dance now known as Azonto was later observed in an evolved form among 'steet communities' in Tarkwa, Abossey Okai, Takoradi and certain suburbs of Accra (namely Korle-Gonno, La and Chorkor), in pubs, night clubs, & dance battles. Perhaps because of its apparent use of strength and vigor, and preference of the then popular and more sophisticated "crip walk" and "break dance" known in Ghana as 'cracking' in High Schools, the dance was seen as being less refined than alternate styles.

Recent popularity

• The dance was made very popular by Ghanaian football star Asamoah Gyan in his goal celebrations for his club and during matches of the Ghana Black Stars.

Azonto has been further commercialized with its inclusion in music lyrics and music video clips. Examples of such songs include:

• U Go Kill Me - Sarkodie
• Obuu Mo - E.L
• Azonto ft. Tiffany - Fuse ODG
• Shashewowo - Stay Jay
• Yenko Nkoaa - Eduwoji
• Sorkode - Keche
• Lapaz Toyota - Guru
• Abodaatoi - Gasmilla
• Kolom - Buk Bak
• Up In Da Club - Chupa
• "Ye Be Sa Azonto" - Ruff N' Smooth

External links

• Azonto surprise at Joy FM Nite with the Stars^[1]
• Azonto dance at high school^[2]
• Azonto dance goes international^[3]
• DJ Black's "Azonto Mix"
• Azonto Categories For Vodafone Ghana Music Awards VGMAs

References

1. ^ myjoyonline, Azonto surprise at Joy FM Nite with the Stars, 10TH December 2011
2. ^ youtube, Azonto dance at high school, 10TH December 2011
3. ^ GBC, Azonto dance goes international, 10TH December 2011

• Azonto Dance Network
• Azonto Categories For Vodafone Ghana Music Awards VGM.

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