COUNTRY: Martinique, Guadeloupe

Martinique’s most internationally known style is Zouk which is an energetic, highly danceable blend of all the above. Zouk started in the 1960s as Caribbean dancehall music but has since become more musically complex, adding sounds from other Martinican styles such as beguine, and kadans.  There are many styles of Zouk dancing, but the traditional Caribbean Zouk features two steps that go along with the music: 1-2, 1-2. In Brazilian Zouk there are three steps: 1-3-4, 1-3-4…

More information:
The history of Zouk | Tracing Zouk to its Dominican roots | Heritage Institute’s Zouk overview, including an introduction to several ZOUK dance styles