Origin of break dance

Answer 1

Capoeira. You see, capoeira came to the US in the 60s. From there (NY) it spread. Capoeira was such an unusual thing to see and entertaining to watch that from these unusual movements and tricks came different ways of doing them. One of these ways evolved into b-boy (aka breakdance).

"Breakdancing" was further spread when James Brown and other notable individuals learned some capoeira (or at least learned from those who learned some capoeira) and used it in their performances. The tricks and style of it all was something to behold. What an unusual and cool thing to see. These performances helped "breackdancing" gain recognition in the US and beyond.

If you note (from on-line reading) breakdance first became popular in the 70s, not too long after capoeira was introduced.

In breakdancing you'll see spins, handstands, individuals gathered together in a circle and a basic dance move/rhythm before they execute their tricks. You'll also hear music that goes to that dance move/rhythm.

This all came from capoeira. If you watch capoeira, you note a great many similarities. The ginga (jing-ga) movement/rhythm, the music, the tricks (e.g. handspins, handstands, flips, etc.), even the circle itself.

All in all, breakdancing came from early versions of hip hop called b-boy, which in turn derived it's movements from the spins, handstands, and tricks used in capoeira rodas.

Answer 2

Break Dancing dates back to the Bronx in the early 1970's.