World & Cultural Dance: Styles, History & Tempo Guide
Traditions with deep cultural roots that thrive in American studios and communities — flamenco, belly dance, Irish step, hula, bhangra, Indian classical and African dance.
Flamenco
Andalusia, Spain (Gitano/Roma culture)
Belly Dance
Egypt and the Middle East (raqs sharqi); American Tribal Style in the US
Irish Dance
Ireland
Hula
Hawaiʻi
Bhangra
Punjab (India and Pakistan)
B
Bollywood Dance
Mumbai (Hindi film industry)
Bharatanatyam
Tamil Nadu, India
Kathak
North India
African Dance
Sub-Saharan Africa (hundreds of traditions)
Compare world styles
| Style | Origin | Meter | Tempo (BPM) | Difficulty | Partner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamenco | Andalusia, Spain (Gitano/Roma culture) | 12-beat compás (and 3/4, 4/4) | varies | Solo | |
| Belly Dance | Egypt and the Middle East (raqs sharqi); American Tribal Style in the US | Middle Eastern rhythms (maqsum, baladi, saidi, chiftetelli) | varies | Solo | |
| Irish Dance | Ireland | Reel 4/4, jig 6/8, slip jig 9/8, hornpipe 4/4 | 110–125 | Solo | |
| Hula | Hawaiʻi | Chant-driven (kahiko) or song-driven (ʻauana) | varies | Solo | |
| Bhangra | Punjab (India and Pakistan) | Dhol rhythms (chaal) | varies | Solo | |
| Bollywood Dance | Mumbai (Hindi film industry) | Varies | varies | Solo | |
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu, India | Carnatic tala cycles | varies | Solo | |
| Kathak | North India | Hindustani tala cycles (teentaal) | varies | Solo | |
| African Dance | Sub-Saharan Africa (hundreds of traditions) | Polyrhythmic (djembe and dunun ensembles) | varies | Solo |
Tempo ranges are typical social and competition ranges; ballroom figures follow WDSF/NDCA bars-per-minute standards. Difficulty is our editorial estimate for adult beginners (1 = easiest).