Azonto

{{Short description|Ghanaian dance and music genre}}

{{About|the music genre and dance}}

{{Multiple issues|{{original research|date=May 2019}}

{{More citations needed|date=April 2020}}}}

{{Infobox dance

|title = Azonto dance

|image = Ghanaians dancing azonto.png

|imagesize =

|alt =

|caption = An Azonto move

|genre =

|signature =

|inventor = Several individuals{{who|date=July 2023}}

|origin = Ghana

}}

Azonto is a dance and music genre from Ghana.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-18495493/could-ghana-s-new-azonto-dance-craze-take-over-the-world|title=Ghana's new dance craze - the Azonto|work=BBC News |language=en|access-date=2019-04-30|archive-date=2019-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501001438/https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-africa-18495493/could-ghana-s-new-azonto-dance-craze-take-over-the-world|url-status=live}} Ghana News Agency cites their study which found out the dance is connected to the traditional Ga dance Kpanlogo, associated with the coastal towns in the country such as Chorkor, James Town, Teshie, Nungua and Tema, in the Greater Accra Region.{{Cite web|url=https://ghananewsagency.org/social/ghana-s-azonto-dance-hit-global-entertainment-stage-37470|title=Ghana's Azonto Dance hit global entertainment stage|website=ghananewsagency.org|access-date=2020-04-29|archive-date=2015-04-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405065422/http://www.ghananewsagency.org/social/ghana-s-azonto-dance-hit-global-entertainment-stage-37470|url-status=live}}

Several accounts say Azonto was formerly known as 'Apaa' in these communities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.modernghana.com/news/376302/azonto-the-new-music-and-dance-craze-in-ghana.html|title=Azonto - The New Music and Dance Craze in Ghana|website=Modern Ghana|language=en|access-date=2020-04-29|archive-date=2020-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401233944/https://www.modernghana.com/news/376302/azonto-the-new-music-and-dance-craze-in-ghana.html|url-status=live}} The Apaa dance, hence Azonto dance, involves a set of hand movements that either mimic everyday activities especially ones concerning people's livelihoods,{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/03/ghana-azonto-dance-craze-|title=Ghana's Azonto craze takes over dancefloors across the world|last=Mark|first=Monica|date=3 September 2012|website=The Guardian|access-date=29 April 2020}} or moves that are meant to amuse an audience.

For the basics of the dance, one foot is stiff and planted, while the other foot is on its ball to allow the dancer to pivot and twist. The dancer's shoulders are slouched, and their head is turned to one side with a "defiant and flirtatious" smirk on their face.{{Cite journal |last=Shipley |first=Jesse Weaver |date=May 2013 |title=Transnational circulation and digital fatigue in Ghana's Azonto dance craze |url=https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/amet.12027 |journal=American Ethnologist |language=en |volume=40 |issue=2 |pages=362–381 |doi=10.1111/amet.12027 |issn=0094-0496|url-access=subscription }} The hands of the dancer point downwards and move in flowing, circular motions around themselves and the space in front of them, changing in levels from the head to the waist.

It began with one- or two-step movements but has been advanced to more complex and almost acrobatic movements.{{Cite web|url=https://theculturetrip.com/africa/ghana/articles/the-best-places-to-learn-the-azonto-dance-in-ghana/|title=The Best Places to Learn the Azonto Dance in Ghana|last=Aidoo|first=Kwame|website=Culture Trip|date=9 May 2018 |access-date=2019-05-01|archive-date=2019-05-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501001438/https://theculturetrip.com/africa/ghana/articles/the-best-places-to-learn-the-azonto-dance-in-ghana/|url-status=live}} Just like most African dances, Azonto involves knee bending and hip movements. The dance has effectively evolved from a few basic moves to miming actions such as ironing of clothes, washing, driving, boxing, praying, swimming, and others.{{cite web|title=Azonto - The New Music and Dance Craze in Ghana|date=4 February 2012|author=Stephen Atta Owusu|url=http://www.modernghana.com/news/376302/1/azonto-the-new-music-and-dance-craze-in-ghana.html|publisher=modernghana.com|access-date=19 June 2013|archive-date=16 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416072444/http://www.modernghana.com/news/376302/1/azonto-the-new-music-and-dance-craze-in-ghana.html|url-status=live}}