Reasons for Dance
FACTORS INFLUENCING DANCE
There are many different factors influencing the ways in which people dance, including:
- cultural factors (types of dance and music)
- social factors (who is watching the dance? What audience is it aimed towards?)
- economic factors
- political factors
- religious factors
- the story being told
CULTURAL DANCES
In your dance group, explore the cultural dance assigned to you and summarize into a presentation:
- Where the dance originated (country of origin).
- Why or how this type of dance was created.
- The types of music.
- When this dance is used (on a special event? For religious purposes? For fun?)
- Common themes or stories being told.
- The elements of dance used.
Group One: Korean Traditional Dance
Korean traditional dance has a rich history of culture and storytelling that continues today in many parts of the country. From ancient folk dancing to modern dance styles, the Korean people have long celebrated dance as part of their cultural heritage.The earliest use of dance in Korea began about five thousand years ago with shamanistic rituals. Shamanism incorporates the beliefs and practices of the indigenous people in Korea, and both religious views and dance styles were unique to each village in these early years. Usually, each region would have its own local gods, and the Shamans worked as part of funeral services to guide spirits into heaven. The dances, such as the Tang'ol from the south, were choreographed with the goal of entertaining a god or goddess.
When the later Korean kingdoms came about, Korean dance was extensively supported and highly regarded by the royal court and educational establishments. Usually the government even had an official division of dance. Many dances became very popular over 1,000 years ago. These included:
The majority of Korean dances that are considered to be traditional include some sort of storyline representing the Korean life. For example, in the Ghost dance, the dancer reunites with a dead spouse, and then experiences grief and loss through the second goodbye. In contrast, the Great Drum Dance features a larger-than-life drum that is often bigger than the dancer. The drum represents temptation of a pure religious figure, such as a Korean monk, and eventually he gives in to the desire of the drum beat.
Taken from I love to Know Dance
When the later Korean kingdoms came about, Korean dance was extensively supported and highly regarded by the royal court and educational establishments. Usually the government even had an official division of dance. Many dances became very popular over 1,000 years ago. These included:
- Ghost dance
- Fan dance
- Monk dance
- Entertainer dance
The majority of Korean dances that are considered to be traditional include some sort of storyline representing the Korean life. For example, in the Ghost dance, the dancer reunites with a dead spouse, and then experiences grief and loss through the second goodbye. In contrast, the Great Drum Dance features a larger-than-life drum that is often bigger than the dancer. The drum represents temptation of a pure religious figure, such as a Korean monk, and eventually he gives in to the desire of the drum beat.
Taken from I love to Know Dance
Group Two: Bollywood (India)
The term Bollywood was created by combining two names, Bombay (the city now called Mumbai) and Hollywood. Bollywood based in Mumbai (Bombay), is India’s – and the world’s - largest film industry in terms of the number of films produced, and also the number of tickets sold each year.
In modern times, Bollywood has dominated the dancing trends of this Asian country, much as how Hollywood has directed America toward hip hop dancing and social dance. While the mainstream dances of today's Western culture can be found throughout India, this country has succeeded well at holding onto its original classical dance forms. There are eight distinct styles of Indian dance, and these can all be traced back to a specific people group or region.
There are also separate traditional dances for various religious festivals and other cultural events not found elsewhere in the world. India holds fast to some of the oldest roots in dance, as its styling can be traced back to the year 400 BC, and many of their folk dances continue to worship and pay homage to the same gods as their ancestors did so many years ago. Currently Bollywood Dance is still influenced by Western culture, perhaps even more so today than when it began. Elements include the use of frequent costume and location changes during dances, as well as the use of larger dance troupes. And the movements have become more bold & extroverted to capture the audience’s attention. The Evolution of Bollywood Dance is a process that is entirely Indian and yet cross-cultural at the same time.
(Taken from Cultural Dances.)
In modern times, Bollywood has dominated the dancing trends of this Asian country, much as how Hollywood has directed America toward hip hop dancing and social dance. While the mainstream dances of today's Western culture can be found throughout India, this country has succeeded well at holding onto its original classical dance forms. There are eight distinct styles of Indian dance, and these can all be traced back to a specific people group or region.
There are also separate traditional dances for various religious festivals and other cultural events not found elsewhere in the world. India holds fast to some of the oldest roots in dance, as its styling can be traced back to the year 400 BC, and many of their folk dances continue to worship and pay homage to the same gods as their ancestors did so many years ago. Currently Bollywood Dance is still influenced by Western culture, perhaps even more so today than when it began. Elements include the use of frequent costume and location changes during dances, as well as the use of larger dance troupes. And the movements have become more bold & extroverted to capture the audience’s attention. The Evolution of Bollywood Dance is a process that is entirely Indian and yet cross-cultural at the same time.
(Taken from Cultural Dances.)
Group Three: Iroquois Traditional Dances
Iroquois traditional dances are one type of First Nations dancing, which has a lush history of folklore and tradition that endures today. Many Iroquois steps have been preserved and passed down to younger generations, allowing today's Iroquois to enjoy a unique fusion of cultural dancing and family tradition mixed with modern artistic expression.
Iroquois socials are community gatherings that encourage everyone to dance the traditional dances of Earth Songs. Each song varies in speed and complexity, but all dances are performed in a counter-clockwise direction. An announcer serves as a "caller", similar to the leader found in square dancing, providing instructions to the dancers as they move along to ensure everyone stays on beat and doing the correct steps.Instruments are used in Earth Songs, such as water drums and horn rattles. However, the beat and tempo of the music are heavily dependent upon the stomping in unison of the dancers' feet on the floor or ground. These foot beats are divided into three categories:
1) Stomp - the feet shuffle across the floor with the right foot in the lead. The left foot is brought up to rejoin the right as the dancer moves across the floor, and the feet hit the floor hard enough to help carry the beat of the music to all dancers.
2) Side-Step Shuffle - this foot shuffle and stomp is performed only by female dancers. The women alternate shuffling their right and left feet across the ground.
3) Fish - The fish dance step involves each foot hitting multiple beats. Instead of alternating feet, the right foot may stomp two or three times to the music before switching weight to the left foot.
Iroquois traditional dances tell a meaningful story that celebrates the hunting and gathering culture of the First Nations. Learning such traditional dances, and the tales they tell, allows both young members of Iroquois tribes, as well as young people of other ethnicities, the opportunity to appreciate the culture of a traditional people steeped in culture and their respect and reverence for the world around them.
(Taken from Cultural Dances).
Iroquois socials are community gatherings that encourage everyone to dance the traditional dances of Earth Songs. Each song varies in speed and complexity, but all dances are performed in a counter-clockwise direction. An announcer serves as a "caller", similar to the leader found in square dancing, providing instructions to the dancers as they move along to ensure everyone stays on beat and doing the correct steps.Instruments are used in Earth Songs, such as water drums and horn rattles. However, the beat and tempo of the music are heavily dependent upon the stomping in unison of the dancers' feet on the floor or ground. These foot beats are divided into three categories:
1) Stomp - the feet shuffle across the floor with the right foot in the lead. The left foot is brought up to rejoin the right as the dancer moves across the floor, and the feet hit the floor hard enough to help carry the beat of the music to all dancers.
2) Side-Step Shuffle - this foot shuffle and stomp is performed only by female dancers. The women alternate shuffling their right and left feet across the ground.
3) Fish - The fish dance step involves each foot hitting multiple beats. Instead of alternating feet, the right foot may stomp two or three times to the music before switching weight to the left foot.
Iroquois traditional dances tell a meaningful story that celebrates the hunting and gathering culture of the First Nations. Learning such traditional dances, and the tales they tell, allows both young members of Iroquois tribes, as well as young people of other ethnicities, the opportunity to appreciate the culture of a traditional people steeped in culture and their respect and reverence for the world around them.
(Taken from Cultural Dances).
Group Four: Krumping (Street Style)
Krump is a popular form of freestyle urban street dance that began in South Central Los Angeles . It is characterized by free, expressive, and highly energetic moves involving the arms and chest. It has become a major part of hip hop dance culture. The dance is very versatile, which different people to adapt it according to their own personality or what suits them the best.
Krumping is seen as a way to release anger, aggression and frustration in a non-violent way, and is often done in opposition to street violence. Krump is an emotional and aggressive dance. It is similar in form and practice to traditional weapon dances, and is a form of "Dance battling," in which competitors face-off in a direct and aggressive competition.
Hip hop music is the predominant type used for krump. The style of hip hop is an essential factor in krump dancing, so this music sets the tone, tempo and mood of the dance "battle." The music is usually upbeat with a fast tempo.
(Taken from dancelessons.net)
Krumping is seen as a way to release anger, aggression and frustration in a non-violent way, and is often done in opposition to street violence. Krump is an emotional and aggressive dance. It is similar in form and practice to traditional weapon dances, and is a form of "Dance battling," in which competitors face-off in a direct and aggressive competition.
Hip hop music is the predominant type used for krump. The style of hip hop is an essential factor in krump dancing, so this music sets the tone, tempo and mood of the dance "battle." The music is usually upbeat with a fast tempo.
(Taken from dancelessons.net)
DANCING TO TELL STORIES
Dance is often used to tell different stories, and to convey important messages or themes.
Watch the dance below, based on the theme of addiction, and decide what elements of dance were used to help build the story.
Watch the dance below, based on the theme of addiction, and decide what elements of dance were used to help build the story.
Action Items:
Write a two-paragraph paper about what you have learned today.
Paragraph One: Using your group summary of your cultural dance, write a short paragraph summarizing your presentation on your cultural dance. Your summary should include all six ideas from your presentation.
Paragraph Two: Write a short paragraph talking about the effectiveness of the media piece above (dance about addiction) and how different audiences might respond. How did you respond? How did the elements of dance add/ take away from the overall message?
Write a two-paragraph paper about what you have learned today.
Paragraph One: Using your group summary of your cultural dance, write a short paragraph summarizing your presentation on your cultural dance. Your summary should include all six ideas from your presentation.
Paragraph Two: Write a short paragraph talking about the effectiveness of the media piece above (dance about addiction) and how different audiences might respond. How did you respond? How did the elements of dance add/ take away from the overall message?