💃History of Dance Unit 10 – Global Dance Traditions

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Ethnochoreology: the study of dance in its cultural context, including its social, political, and historical significance
• Ritual dance: dance performed as part of religious or spiritual ceremonies, often with symbolic meaning and specific movements
• Folk dance: traditional dances passed down through generations, often reflecting the culture and history of a particular region or community
• Fusion dance: the blending of two or more dance styles or cultural influences to create a new form of dance
• Diaspora: the dispersion of a people from their original homeland, often leading to the spread and evolution of their cultural practices, including dance
• Intangible cultural heritage: non-physical aspects of a culture, such as dance, music, and oral traditions, that are passed down through generations and contribute to cultural identity
• Syncretism: the blending of different cultural elements, such as dance styles or religious practices, to create a new, hybrid form

Historical Context and Origins

• Many global dance traditions have roots in ancient religious or spiritual practices, serving as a means of communication with deities or ancestors
• Dance has played a significant role in social bonding and community building throughout history, often serving as a way to celebrate important events or mark rites of passage
• The spread of dance styles across cultures can be attributed to factors such as migration, trade, and colonization
• Some dance traditions have evolved as a form of resistance or protest against oppression, such as the capoeira of Brazil, which originated among enslaved Africans
• The influence of court dances and ballroom dances from Europe has had a lasting impact on many global dance traditions, particularly in former colonies
• The advent of modern transportation and communication technologies has accelerated the global exchange and fusion of dance styles in recent centuries

Major Dance Styles and Forms

• Bharatanatyam: a classical Indian dance form characterized by intricate footwork, expressive hand gestures (mudras), and storytelling through facial expressions and body language
• Flamenco: a passionate and expressive dance style from southern Spain, often featuring rapid footwork, hand clapping, and guitar accompaniment
• Tango: a sensual partner dance that originated in the working-class neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Montevideo, Uruguay, in the late 19th century
• Hula: a Polynesian dance form native to Hawaii, characterized by graceful hand and arm movements that often depict natural elements or tell stories of Hawaiian history and mythology
• Samba: a lively and energetic Brazilian dance style that originated in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, often associated with Carnival celebrations
• Belly dance: a Middle Eastern dance form that emphasizes isolations of the torso and hips, often performed to rhythmic music featuring percussion instruments like the doumbek
• Breakdancing: an urban dance style that emerged in the 1970s as part of hip-hop culture, featuring acrobatic floor movements, freezes, and power moves

Cultural Significance and Symbolism

• Dance often serves as a means of preserving and transmitting cultural values, histories, and mythologies from one generation to the next
• Many global dance traditions are deeply connected to religious or spiritual beliefs, with specific movements and gestures holding symbolic meaning
• Dance can be a powerful tool for social and political commentary, addressing issues such as gender roles, class divisions, and political oppression
• Participation in traditional dance forms can be a way for individuals to assert their cultural identity and maintain a connection to their heritage
• The symbolism and meaning behind certain dance movements or costumes may vary between different regions or communities, even within the same broader cultural tradition
• Dance can serve as a form of nonverbal communication, conveying emotions, intentions, and social dynamics between performers and audience members

Costumes, Music, and Props

• Traditional dance costumes often reflect the cultural identity and history of a particular region, featuring specific colors, patterns, and materials
• Costumes may also serve practical purposes, such as allowing for freedom of movement or providing visual cues for specific dance steps or formations
• Music is an integral part of most global dance traditions, with specific rhythms, melodies, and instruments associated with different styles and cultural contexts
• Live musical accompaniment, such as drumming or singing, is common in many traditional dance performances, allowing for improvisation and interaction between dancers and musicians
• Props, such as fans, scarves, or swords, are used in many dance forms to enhance the visual spectacle and convey symbolic meaning
• The use of masks or headdresses is common in some dance traditions, often representing deities, ancestors, or archetypal characters

Performance Techniques and Training

• Many global dance traditions require extensive training and discipline to master, with dancers beginning their studies at a young age
• Technique classes focus on developing strength, flexibility, and control, as well as mastering specific movements and positions
• Improvisation plays a key role in many dance styles, allowing performers to showcase their individual creativity and respond to the music and energy of the moment
• Group choreography and formations are common in many traditional dance forms, requiring precise timing and coordination among performers
• The transmission of dance knowledge often occurs through a master-student relationship, with experienced dancers passing on their skills and wisdom to the next generation
• Some dance traditions incorporate elements of acrobatics or martial arts, requiring dancers to develop specialized physical abilities and mental discipline

Global Influence and Fusion

• The spread of dance styles across cultures has led to the emergence of new, hybrid forms that blend elements from different traditions
• Colonization and migration have played a significant role in the global dissemination and evolution of dance styles, particularly in the Americas and Africa
• The rise of popular culture and mass media has accelerated the cross-cultural exchange of dance styles and ideas, leading to the emergence of global dance trends
• Fusion dance forms, such as Bollywood dance or Afro-Cuban jazz dance, reflect the ongoing dialogue and exchange between different cultural traditions
• The incorporation of global dance elements into Western concert dance has been a major trend in the 20th and 21st centuries, with choreographers drawing inspiration from a wide range of cultural sources
• The global dance community has become increasingly interconnected through international festivals, workshops, and online platforms, facilitating the sharing of ideas and collaborations between artists from different backgrounds

Contemporary Relevance and Preservation

• Many global dance traditions face challenges in the modern era, including the loss of traditional knowledge, changing social and economic conditions, and the impact of globalization
• Efforts to preserve and promote traditional dance forms have gained momentum in recent decades, with the establishment of cultural heritage organizations and educational programs
• The inclusion of dance in school curricula and community outreach programs has played a key role in ensuring the transmission of traditional knowledge to younger generations
• The use of technology, such as video documentation and online archives, has become an important tool for preserving and disseminating dance heritage
• Contemporary dance artists continue to draw inspiration from global dance traditions, incorporating elements of traditional forms into their own creative work
• The ongoing dialogue between traditional and contemporary dance practices reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of global dance traditions in the 21st century