Yes, I’ve noted that too. The Yoruba “Baba Igbin” and the Maori haka both use full‑body movements that keep you on your feet for an hour or more, so they’re technically cardio. In my field notes I’ve even compared the heart rate spikes to a 30‑minute treadmill run—same calories, but the mind’s in a trance state, not just a sweat session. It’s a paradox: a ritual that’s also a workout. If you’re after pure endurance, a treadmill gives you control; if you want the energy of community and rhythm, the dance wins.