The intimate dance of Kizomba

The unavoidably sensual dance form has origins in Angola, South Africa. Here’s Kristofer Mencak who will teach you to groove on Sunday
Kristofer Mencak at a performance
Kristofer Mencak at a performance

CHENNAI: Kizomba is a pretty close and sensual dance — it has resemblances to tango, especially in the way we lead our partner,” describes dancer Kristofer Mencak, one of the most famous Kizomba dancers in the world. On an India tour that will culminate in Chennai this Sunday, Kristofer chats with City Express about his grooves and moves.


A popular dance form from Angola in Africa, Kizomba is characterised by music that is more sensual and slower than usual, mixed with African rhythm and Haitian Kompa. For someone with a business degree and who was working as a digital marketing strategist, a chance encounter at a salsa festival led Kristofer to learn Kizomba professionally.


“I liked the music and the moves. After that first time, I started going to a lot of Kizomba festivals abroad, since that dance form was not found in my city,” says the Swede, who adds that he eventually visited close to 60 festivals and took five different courses in teachers’ training in the last five years. However, he admits that it was not easy taking to the stage!


“For me, it was a struggle in the beginning, because I never enjoyed being on stage (still don’t), and didn’t like talking in front of people. Actually I am a pretty shy guy!” he laughs. “But now I am used to giving classes and dancing in front of people. When I travel, I experience strange things all the time – you are exposed to a lot of different cultures and customs and it opens your eyes a lot.”


In 2013, Kristofer won the Scandinavian selection for the international competition Africadançar, and ended up in 7th place worldwide in the finals in Lisbon, Portugal. In the 2014 edition again, he repeated his performance, this time ending 6th in the world finals. Today, he teaches Kizomba at his own school in Stockholm called Kizomba Flow, while admitting to the growing popularity the earlier little-known dance form is garnering.


“At first, Kizomba spread to Portugal and other PALOP countries (former Portuguese colonies in Africa), then around 2007, it started spreading to France, Spain and UK,” explains Kristofer. “And now, it’s very popular in Europe and has spread all over the world. I have been teaching in some 40 countries in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa and I can say it’s really conquering the world.

I am very happy it has also come to India!”
He has been surprised by the interest in unexpected places. “I had 90 people in classes in Novosibirsk (Siberia) two years ago.  In Caracas, 120 people participated. A few months back, in Venezuela — in a country with a terrible fin ancial situation! And especially in India, the response has been overwhelming in all three cities (Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai)!”


Apart from Kizomba, Kristofer has trained in capoeira in Brazil, travelled to Cuba for salsa, and also visited the Dominican Republic for bachata. “During my travels, I often get to try a few steps of local dances. Some of them are couple dances, while the others are solo. I haven’t had time to try any Indian dances yet, but I guess I will see some more while I am here!”

Kristofer will be taking a five-hour intensive Kizomba workshop on Dec 4
in association with Salsa Madras at SADA Skill and Fitness Studio, Mylapore. For details, call 8122072572

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