TRUTH ABOUT AZONTO

Azonto is a dance originating from Ghana. The African dance form incorporates complex co-ordinates body movement and non-verbal communication in a rhythmic fashion in very few one-two timed steps. Just like most African dances, knee bending and hip movements are rudiments to dancing it. The dance has effectively evolved from a few rudimentary moves to embrace depictions of ironing,washing, driving, boxing, grooming, praying, swimming, and others. Generally, the dance reflects the creativity, intelligence, and rich sense of humour of the Ghanaian people. The dance, which is usually performed with an accompanying smile, evolved from the combination of several local dance moves that originated from Ghana during the early 2000s. The dance has evolved with the fast pace dance culture of modern West Africa. It is also true that before the dance became famous, youth in senior high schools of Ghana had a similar but different way of doing the dance. A modification of that is what we see today. It involved a similar movement of the feet, hands, and hips and, at the end of every move, a gun shot was mimicked with the hand and, if possible, the mouth. History The dance was first called "Apaazee Renetta Kojo" (which means work) by the people of Bukom. However,the term 'azonto' (a name which was given to the dance by the people of Tema) was popularly used by students of The Accra Academy to refer to life and later became accepted by the larger population as the name for the dance. The dance now known as Azonto was later observed in an evolved form among 'street communities' in Agona Abodom, Abossey Okai, Takoradi and certain suburbs of Accra (namely Korle-Gonno, La and Chorkor), in pubs, night clubs, & dance battles. Perhaps because of its apparent use of strength and vigor, and preference of the then popular and more sophisticated "crip walk" and "break dance" known in Ghana as 'cracking' in High Schools, the dance was seen as being less refined than alternate styles. Recent popularity

The dance was made very popular by Ghanaian football star Asamoah Gyan and in his goal celebrations for his club and during matches of the Black Stars. Azonto has been further commercialized with its inclusion in music lyrics and music video clips. Azonto is now one of the hotest dance in a wide range of settings and occasions in Ghana. It has even become one of the dances in most churches in Ghana.