Isukuti, Twist, Moonwalk: Dance crazes that once ruled Kenya's dance floors

Movement on the dance floor has long been a universal language. Long before social media challenges took over, dance trends spread through structured routines and shared cultural experiences.

Styles such as Katika, Ruka, Banjuka, Kayumba and Shakey-Leggy were popular back in the day. You really would never have been dancing anything too far from these, if you did.

But among traditional classics, Isukuti remains one of the most recognisable.

Said to have originated from European explorers in Webuye around 1910, mishearing the phrase "it's good", the dance involves bouncing on one leg while the other remains raised. It is often performed to tindikiti, the fast-paced folk music of western Kenya.

For lovers of retro Afro-era sounds, the Twist evokes pure nostalgia.

The dance involves shifting the hips while moving the feet in opposite directions, with balled fists and bent arms. It pairs perfectly with Daudi Kabaka's classic hit Pole Helule.

Pop culture has also produced some of the most memorable dance crazes.

Chief among them is the Moonwalk, popularised by Michael Jackson during a performance of Billie Jean. The backward-sliding move captivated audiences worldwide, although it drew criticism from some conservative religious groups.

Another crowd favourite was the Shuffle, a simple routine involving steps to the left, right and back before leaning forward. Its accessibility made it so popular that it was featured in a Kenya Breweries Tusker campaign.

Likewise, the 1989 television show Music Time, hosted by Fred Obachi Machoka, helped popularise Shoulder Works, a dance in which participants competed by alternating isolated shoulder shrugs to electronic beats.

Many dance styles drew inspiration from everyday life. Kuku, inspired by a chicken's movements, requires dancers to bend their arms like wings while moving their heads and shoulders with an expression of exaggerated discomfort.

The Mosquito dance features reversed arm positions and dipping leg movements, accompanied by a smug facial expression meant to mimic irritation from insect bites.

The Helicopter requires dancers to lean forward, push out their backsides and shake their shoulders in rapid, spasm-like motions. It often transitions into the Parachute, where performers grab their shirt lapels and gradually sway lower to imitate a parachutist descending to the ground.

Sports and street culture have also influenced dance trends. Hands Free gained popularity through rugby players celebrating victories. The routine features floating arms, upturned palms and an intense facial expression, often accompanied by the chant "hands free baba!"

Meanwhile, the C-walk became a global hip-hop phenomenon thanks to artists such as WC and Xzibit. The intricate foot shuffle, however, has roots in Los Angeles gang culture, where it reportedly began as a pre-battle ritual among members of the Crips.

Modern nightlife later embraced trends such as Leanin' 'n' Rockin', inspired by groups like Dem Franchize Boyz. The dance involves leaning backwards while bouncing and snapping fingers. The Sean Paul style also became a favourite, borrowing signature ragga-inspired moves from the Jamaican star's music videos and encouraging dancers to improvise their own variations on the floor.