This paper argues that traditional African dance can develop fitness and health particularly for those interested in both health and African culture. A discussion of fitness concludes that this quality enables the body to perform physical activities with greater efficiency and that all the qualities commonly found in notions of fitness are found in traditional African dance. A description of African traditional dance characterizes it as dance passed down over generations particularly in West and South Africa. It often mimics daily life, animals, or natural phenomena, or it has tribal or ritualistic aspects. A discussion of African dance and fitness argues that this form improves emotional well-being by relieving stress, improves social skills by providing a chance to interact with people, offers intellectual stimulation by providing new movement information to be analyzed, and promotes spirituality by providing a relationship with nature and the environment through movement. A conclusion states that those who participate in traditional African dance classes and activities find them interesting and satisfying. These qualities make it an effective way to achieve aerobic fitness thereby improving health and quality of life. (JB)