The term "Lambada" is an obscure Portuguese word used in Brazil and refers to the wavelike motion induced in a whip. This flowing wave motion is copied by the dancers bodies. The dark ambiguity of this figure is one of the things that distinguishes Lambada from other dances.

As for the origins of Lambada as a dance, Lambada is derived from Carimbó which got its name from a large African drum with a sonorous sound. Only by influences of Salsa, Merengue and Reggae, the formerly single danced Lambada evolved into an couple dance, early adopted by people in Porto Seguro, Bahia.

Being a summer season phenomenon, the Lambada would have disappeared like a lot of other dances, if it hadn't been for the French group "Kaoma" which made "Lambada" the number one hit worldwide - 5 million singles were bought, triggering an international dancing boom. Many dancing schools followed the trend and in a hurry offered dancing lessons - however, the commercialization of Lambada hype was exaggerated. Today the focal point is concentrated on the artistic potential of Lambada and it always is present in the dancing halls of Europe, Argentina and Australia.