West African Dances are classified as:
Secular- Just for fun
Ritual-ceremonial dance
Sacred-Religious dance
Dance Purpose Origin
1 Kou Kou : Malinke dace from Guinean Highlands
2 Doundounba
3 Mandiani
4 Beta Ritual: by Yoraba people to honor Deity of Thunder and Lighting Nigeria
5 Malivata Ritual: for hunting Tanzania
6 Agbadza Secular: one of oldest dances, derived from war dance Atrikpui, performed by whole community Benin, Togo, and Ghana
7 Agbaei Secular: social Dance, flirtatious, dance of Krobo People Ghana
8 Adzogbo Sacred: a Dzovu (sacred dance) where men displayed their dzoka (juju/charms)or love charms) to seduce women Benin
9 Atsiagbekor Ritual: oldest traditional war dance, now dance in search of peace Ghana, Togo, Benin
10 Asaadua Secular: recreation dance for young men Ghana
11 Babashiko Ritual: recreational dance performed at festivals, funerals and special occasions Ghana
12 Bewa ( Bawaa) Ritual: Traditional dance of Dagarre people Ghana
13 Bamaaya Sacred: performed during special occasions, only men originally, now women participate Ghana
14 Boboobo Secular: social dance also known as Agbeyeye (New Life) and Akpese (Music of Joy) both derived from Konkoma Ghana and Togo
15 Adowa Secular: social dance of Akan people who live in Ashanti, Eastern , Central and the Volta Regions of Ghana Ghana
16 Fontomfrom Ritual, Sacred: series of war dances performed at funerals after a tribe kills another tribe and right before a war Ghana
17 Gadzo Ritual: war dances performed during festivals Ghana
18 Gahu : marriage rites of Yoroba of Nigeria Nigeria
19 Gyewani Secular: recreational dance Ghana
20 Dibon Ritual: Accompanies farmers from a long day at work to help locate each other Guinea
Senegal
21 Sofa/Kassa : life cycle celebration Guinea: regions Macenta and Balandougou
22 Wali Guinea
23 Sunu Welcome ceremony of Malenke people Guinea and Mali
24 Takada Social event where 5o years ago, women started to demand equal...