Most African religions use dance in some way. They see dance as a means to communicate with their deity, expressing feelings, desires and requests to the gods.
African slaves used dances to communicate with each other, pass messages, retain their culture, pass the time and entertain themselves. Slaves in Europe had more freedom to dance than slaves in North America, but even North American slaves maintained dance as part of their lives and culture.
African dance has influenced many popular American dances such as the Charleston, the Lindy Hop, the Jitterbug and the Twist. Many Western choreographers incorporate elements of the rhythm and style of African dance into modern dance.
African dance is highly percussive. In addition to the rhythms created by the dancers themselves, drums used by musicians and dancers accompany African dance. The musicians are usually so integrated that they become part of the dance.
African dance is highly energetic and certain communities use it as a form of exercise.