Forró in Switzerland

The most important thing about Forró and History of Forró Dance

Forró refers to both a music style and a dance style that originated in the 19th century - similar to Samba, it has European and African influences. The origin of this unique style lies in the Northeast region of Brazil, known as the Região Nordeste.

Soon after, the dance gained popularity across the country, especially during the traditional Festas Juninas - a nationwide festival that lasts throughout June - where Brazilians dance Forró in pairs. In a traditional manner, Forró is danced closely and intimately with the dance partner in lively and dynamic movements.

With cheerful melodies, one moves to the lively Forró. The dance is usually accompanied by a accordion, a triangle, and a zabumba (a flat bass drum), which form the so-called "Trios de Forró".

Forró dance is a popular Brazilian dance style that originated in the Northeastern region of Brazil. It is characterized by its upbeat rhythms, close contact between partners, and unique steps.

Forró dance originated in the Northeastern region of Brazil in the early 20th century. It was initially danced in rural areas during festivals and celebrations. The word "forró" is believed to have originated from the English phrase "for all," which was used to describe the parties where the dance was performed. Over time, Forró dance became popular in urban areas and spread throughout Brazil. Today, it is one of the most popular dance styles in Brazil and is enjoyed by people of all ages.

Music of Forró Dance

Forró dance is typically performed to Forró music, which is a genre of Brazilian music that originated in the Northeastern region of Brazil. Forró music is characterized by its upbeat rhythms, accordion, triangle, and zabumba (a type of drum) instruments. The lyrics of Forró music often tell stories of love, life, and the struggles of the working class. Some popular Forró music artists include Luiz Gonzaga, Dominguinhos, and Elba Ramalho.

Steps of Forró Dance

Forró dance is a partner dance that involves close contact between partners. The dance is typically performed in a circular motion, with partners facing each other. The basic steps of Forró dance include:

• Side Step: Step to the side with your left foot, then bring your right foot to meet your left foot. Repeat with the opposite foot.

• Forward Step: Step forward with your left foot, then bring your right foot to meet your left foot. Repeat with the opposite foot.

• Backward Step: Step backward with your left foot, then bring your right foot to meet your left foot. Repeat with the opposite foot.

• Turn: Turn to your left or right while stepping with your left foot, then bring your right foot to meet your left foot.

• Sway: Sway your hips from side to side while stepping in place.

These basic steps can be combined with other steps, such as spins, dips, and lifts, to create more complex Forró dance routines.

Benefits of Forró Dance

Forró dance offers several benefits for both physical and mental health. Some of the benefits of Forró dance include:

• Cardiovascular Health: Forró dance is a high-energy dance style that can help improve cardiovascular health and endurance.

• Muscle Strength and Flexibility: Forró dance involves a lot of movement and can help improve muscle strength and flexibility.

• Coordination and Balance: Forró dance requires coordination and balance, which can help improve these skills over time.

• Stress Relief:: Forró dance is a fun and social activity that can help reduce stress and improve mood.

A Dance Conquers the World

This Brazilian partner dance has now risen to become a popular trend dance worldwide, with various workshops and dance courses for learning Forró already available in Germany. A wonderful cultural heritage has thus spread.

The dance steps are considered easy to learn, mainly due to its memorable rhythms and the movements, which are executed almost seamlessly once you have developed a feeling for Forró and are in sync with the music. This lively, inspiring music itself has the power to captivate, to spur on and motivate to dance. For this reason, there are no fixed step combinations, but Forró thrives on improvised movements.

Seeking a Dance Partner?

Since Forró, as mentioned earlier, is considered a partner dance, it would be a shame if you didn't have someone with whom you could try out this dance or even learn it for an extended period. Unfortunately, it often proves difficult to find the right dance partner, but Let's Dance can help you with that. On Let's Dance, you can register, create your own profile, and browse through the profiles of others. This way, you can easily come across more people who, like you, are also passionate about dancing.

With Forró, you can experience beautiful, unforgettable, and quite sweaty hours together. This traditional Brazilian trend dance can be a lot of fun. Another positive effect is that the intense movement keeps you fit and healthy. So what are you waiting for? Find yourself a dance partner, and let's get started!