The Mapalé Dance From Colombia

Mapele is a dance form from Colombia that has African roots mainly from Angola. With its extremely fast rhythms, mapale is traditionally played with two drums, el tambor alegre and una tambura, that are supported by clapping. Nowadays, musicians often add a gauche a (shaker) to the sound. With its long heritage the dance has spread to other parts of South America in countries such as Panama and Ecuador. 

The movements are based on the Mapale fish movements when the fish are out of the water. The fast paced body movements and musical rhythm is definitely a beautiful sight to see.

Mapale is a Colombian musical genre and dance original of the Afro Colombian culture of the Pacific and Caribbean Regions of Colombia.The dance was introduced by African slaves brought in ships by the Spanish, who came mainly from Angola. The dance represents an erotic courtship between a male and female couple characterized by their frenetic acts towards each other.