Top 5 Traditional Dances in Nigeria

Nigeria is made up of over 350 tribes and ethnic groups with different cultures and traditions, one of which is dance. The cultural or traditional dances in Nigeria serve different purposes which include unifying the members of a tribe, telling folktales, history and traditions of a community, showcasing the wealth and strength of a tribe, celebrating, performing religious duties, entertaining and more.
Below is OldNaija’s compilation of probably the best and most entertaining traditional dances in Nigeria.
Top Five Traditional Dances In Nigeria

1. The Ekombi Dance
The Ekombi dance is peculiar to the Efik people of Calabar, Cross River State. It is a beautiful and entertaining dance in which maidens are dressed in multi-coloured attires sewn in a mini skirt and blouse form which exposes their tummy.
The maidens are also decorated with beads of different colours and sizes. The Ekombi dancers whine gracefully to the rhythmical beats of the Efik drummers in the movement of ocean tides. The Ekombi dance of the Efik people shows the beauty and maturity of a woman.

2. The Nkwa-Umu-Agbogho Dance
This dance has its origin among the people of Ebonyi State. The Nkwa-Umu-Agbogho dance is also known as ‘maidens dance‘ because it is specifically meant for ladies who have just become ripe for marriage.
This dance involves vigorous twisting of the chest and waist in a seductive way so as to attract suitors. The ‘maiden dance’ also help younger girls to abstain from pre-marital sex.

3. The Bata Dance
The Bata dance is one of the cultural/traditional dances of the Yoruba people of southwestern Nigeria. This dance is associated with Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder who was said to be athletic during his days.
However, the bata dance remains incomplete without beats from the bata drum- a set of three drums namely Iya-Ilu, Itotele and Okokonlo.
Bata dance is really entertaining for it encompasses different moves and stunts. Bata dance is for both male and female in Yoruba land.

4. The Koroso Dance
The Koroso dance originated among the Fulani and Kano people of Kano State, Nigeria. The Kosoro dance, a name derived from the rattle fastened to the legs of Koroso dancers, is a mixture of movements from the traditional dances of the Fulanis and Hausa people of Kano.
Usually, the Koroso dancers perform in pairs, sometimes assisting each other to achieve impossible shapes, sometimes striving individually to outdo the other. It is such a beautiful and entertaining dance!

5. The Swange Dance
The Swange dance is a recreational and entertaining dance performed together by Tiv men and women of Benue State, Nigeria.
This dance is performed in important gatherings or during festivals. The movement of the Swange dance can be slow, fast or rhythmic all rendering the dancers shaking vigorously; this thus make the Tiv people call the Swange dance “boneless dance”.
Swange dance is accompanied by beats with beautiful rhythm and a traditional horn called ‘Al-Gaita‘ which is blown throughout the dance session.
These are the top five traditional dances in Nigeria.
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Good job old Naija ????
Very entertaining!!
Thank you very much, Mrs. Bamidele Adebimpe. We really appreciate your visit and nice comment.
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What a good suggestion. I will start working on that. Thank you for your visit and comment, Abaxtee. Kindly do check back.
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Nice one. Useful for me and my pupils
We are really glad to be of help, Mrs/Miss Taiwo. Our regards to your pupils. Thanks for visiting and Kindly do check back.
good especially that of swange, the Tiv dance.
Thanks for visiting sir. Kindly do check back.
Great and educative. Thanks for sharing.
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