Spanish Dance

Spanish dance is a complex dance form, difficult to explain in single paragraph. Basically Spanish dance can be categorized in 6 groups which are Flamenco, Classical Spanish Dance (“ Estiliziacion”), Folklore, Eighteenth Century Dances, Ballet (Classical Dance), and Castanets.

Flamenco

Flamenco is the best known Spanish dance form due to the many dancers and musician performing this genre. Flamenco has eclipsed the performance of  other Spanish dance forms outside of Spain.

 Classical Spanish Dance

Classical Spanish Dance encompasses sophisticated choreography of Classical Music by great Spanish composers such as Manuel De Falla, Albaniz, Granados, and Turina. Dances wear either Spanish dance shoes or Ballet shoes, often while playing the castanets. The dance blends Flamenco, Folklore, and Classical Ballet.

Folklore

Spanish Folklore is very diverse. Each region of Spain has its own dances, some of which centuries old. These dances include the “muneira” from Galecia, the “verdiales” from Malaga, the “zorzico” from the Vasc Province, and the “sardana” from Cataluna, all are which very different. Folklore is the most distinctive cultural expression of each region. Through these beautiful dances, the people of each region express their uniqueness and proud cultural heritage.

Eighteenth Century Dances

Eighteenth Century Dances called “Euscela Bolera” are short dances performed with outfits, shoes and castanets typical of the time of the great Spanish painter Goya, which is why they are also called “Goyescas”. These dances are performed using dance steps from classical ballet along with movements and expression typical Eighteenth Century Spain.

Castanets

The Castanets, part of Spain’s musical heritage, are a percussion instrument popular in various Spanish dances. Mastery of the castanets requires separate study from dance to gain maximum artistic expression. 

Korean Traditional Dance

Korean traditional dance originated in ancient shamanistic rituals thousands of years ago. By the time of the later Korean kingdoms, Goryeoand Joseon, in the 2nd millennium CE, Korean traditional dance benefited from regular support of the royal court, numerous academies, and even an official ministry of the government.

A number of different dances gained permanent high status, including the Hermit dance, the Ghost dance, Buchae Chum (the fan dance), Sang Mo (the Monk dance), the Oudong (Entertainer) dance and others, despite the fact that many had humble origins. For example, the Fan dance is believed to have originated with shamans performing nature rites with leaves but evolved into one of the most highly refined Korean dances.

 Buchae Chum 

Other Korean dances remained and remain to this day under the ambit of farmers and folk dance groups. Props used in the dances include the long billowing silk scarf of pure white used in the Salpuri dance, drums, hats, swords and others. The props may be peripheral or central to the story of the dance. In the Ghost dance, the entertainer has a joyous reunion with a deceased spouse, only to endure the heartbreak of reseparation, and there may few or no props. On the other hand, the Great Drum dance (one of several forms of drum dances) features a gaudy drum which may be taller than the performer. The drum tempts a monk until finally he succumbs to it and performs a rolling drum "orgy."

Numerous universities in Korea teach Korean traditional dance, and even some universities abroad now provide instruction in the forms. Top dancers are recognized as "Living National Treasures" and are charged to pass their dances down to their students. The lineages of dance and dancers may be traced back several generations through such connections.

Japanese Traditional Dance

There are two types of Japanese traditional dance: Odori, which originated in the Edo period, and Mai, which originated in the western part of Japan. Odori grew out of Kabuki drama and is more oriented toward male sentiments. Mai is traditionally performed in Japanese rooms instead of on the stage. It was influenced by the Noh Drama.

A variation of the Mai style of Japanese dance is the Kyomai of Kyoto Style Dance. Kyomai developed in the 17th century Tokugawa cultural period. It is heavily influenced by the elegance and sophistication of the manners often associated with the Imperial Court In Kyoto.

There are several types of traditional Japanese dance:

Bon Odori

Bon Odori is a dance performed during Obon. It was originally a dance to welcome the spirits of the dead. These dances and the music that accompanies them are different for every region of Japan. Usually, the bon dance involves people dancing around a yagura, a high wooden scaffold. The people move either counter clockwise or clockwise, away and towards the yurgura. Sometimes they switch direction.

The movements and gestures in a bon dance often depict the history, work or geography of the region. For example, Tanko Bushi is a coal mining work song that originates from Miike Mine in Kyushu, and the movements in the dance depict digging, cart pushing and lantern hanging. Soran Bushi is a sea shanty, and the movements in the dance depict net dragging and luggage hoisting. Bon dances may employ the use of different utensils, such as fans, small towels and wooden hand clappers. For the Hanagasa Odori , the dancers use straw hats with flowers on them.

Nihon Buyo

Nihon Buyo is different from most other traditional dance. It is intended for entertainment on stage. Nihon Buyo is a refined dance that has been improved throughout four centuries. (Japanese Dance Association Inc.) There are four parts to Nihon Buyo, the most significant part being Kabuki Buyo. Nihon Buyo was created directly from Kabuki Buyo before it became theater. The second part of Nihon Buyo is Noh. (Japanese Dance Association Inc.) Nihon Buyo takes a few key elements from Noh such as the circular movements and the tools that they incorporate in the dances. The third part of these dances comes from the folk dances. They took the spinning and jumping that is used in folk dances and has incorporated it in Nihon Buyo. The last part came from a mixture of European and American culture that is found in Japan today. (Japanese Dance Association Inc.) Today, with the combination of these dances we have Nihon Buyo, a refined dance that has become an art form made for entertainment on stage.

Noh Mai

The origin of the Noh Mai can be traced back to as far as the thirteenth century. Noh Mai is a dance that is done to music that is made by flutes and small hand drums. At some points they dance to vocal and percussion music, these points are called kuse or kiri. Noh Mai dances are put together by a series of forms. (The Noh, 2008) Forms are patterns of body movements that are done elegantly and with beauty.

There are several types of Noh Mai dances. A type that is neither slow nor fast is called Chu No Mai. A female usually performs this type of dance. A slower type of dance is the Jo No Mai. A female does this dance as well and can dress up as either a ghost of a noble woman, prostitute, a spirit or deity. A male’s dance is Otoko Mai. The performer does not wear a mask in this dance and is portraying the character as being heroic.

Another male dance is Kami Mai, where the dancer acts as though he is a deity. This is a very fast dance. The female version of this would be Kagura and can be performed in various ways. Gaku is a dance that is imitates music played by the imperial court and is usually done by the main character. These six types make up the Noh Mai dance and help give the dance its beauty.

Costumes are a huge part of Noh Mai. Sometimes a dance or play may start out very slowly, so the actors create very flamboyant costumes to keep the audience interested. They also dress to fit the region in which they represent, such as a bamboo hat worn during a play would represent country life. The most important part of the costume is the mask. The Noh Mai masks are thought to be the most artistic masks in Japan.

Chinese Traditional Dance

Chinese dance has its own unique lexicon, significance, and organized fabrication that provide a platform to dance up to its full extent and represents the thoughts and feelings with contentment and elegance.

Traditional Chinese Dance is famous with the stalwart Lion Dance with drum music, the spirited Ribbon Dance with long Silk Ribbons fabricating calligraphic designs in the air; as well as the exquisite Fan Dance mesmerized by spectators all over the world. The Art of Chinese Dance convoys the hue, extravagance and splendor of the Chinese culture all over the world.

The lion dance is a vigorous form of dance that is usually performed during Chinese festivals such as the Chinese New Year.

 It is said that in ancient times, a mythological creature known as Nian terrorised China and devoured its people on the eve of the New Year. The only animal that managed to wound this beast was the lion. Thus, in an attempt to frighten the beast, the villagers decided to mimic the lion with lions made of cloth.

In accordance with this legend, the dance is believed to usher good fortune, as well as ward off evil spirits.

The lion dance calls for perfect coordination, elegance and nerves of steel. 

 Two dancers are usually needed to give life to a “lion” -- one to control the movements of the head, eyes and mouth, the other to act as the body. The first dancer that controls the head determines the movements, while the second must work in tandem with him.

Indian Traditional Dance

Traditional Indian Dance in particularly Bharatanatyam  and Odissi, as Balasaraswati puts it, as an artistic yoga for revealing spiritual through the corporeal. Bharatanatyam is the most widely practised Indian traditional dances worldwide, as it is the style that most faithfully adheres to the Bible of the traditional Indian dance.

Gods and Goddess  pleaded with Lord Brahma for another Veda to be created that would be simple for the common man to understand, which is particularly important in Kali Yuga.

Indian Traditional Dance comprises three aspect, Nritta, Nritya, and Natya.

Nritta are rhythmical and repetitive elements : it is dance proper.

Natya is the dramatic art, and is a language of gestures, poses and mime.

Nritya is a combination on Nritta and Natya.

Malaysian dance

Dance forms in Malaysia are also diverse like the music of country. The country boasts of numerous traditional dance forms. Some of the popular traditional dance forms are Joget, Inang, Silat, Shadow Plays and Datun Julud. Joget is a traditional dance form that is generally accompanied by flute and dance, Inang is a Malay folk dance performed in front of royal guests. Other performing arts include Shadow Plays performed to commemorate special occasions like marriage and birth. Silat is a form of martial art but then, it is also considered as a performing art since it is accompanied by drums and gongs and performed during weddings and other noteworthy occasions. The Datun Julud is another traditional dance form, which enjoys popularity in Sarawak. This form of dance exemplifies the age-old tradition of storytelling in dance and narrates the story of the happiness of a prince when blessed with a grandson. 

So if you are planning to tour the country of Malaysia, do not forget to check out the music and dance of the country; it will help you to have a clear understanding of the culture of the country.

 Sarawak have many kinds of traditional dances,such as ;

Bidayuh - Tolak Bala
This dance is performed prior to harvest, as a way to seek blessing for good harvest and protection to the community against evil spirits.

Bidayuh - Langgi Julang
This dance is performed by Bidayuh men on a julang, or brass tray, accompanied by Bidayuh maidens, when a new village chief is selected.

Orang Ulu - Datun Julud
This is a welcome dance performed by the Orang Ulu maidens to welcome guests to their longhouse.

Orang Ulu - Kanjet Ngeleput
This is a warrior dance. It portrays the numble but stealthy gait of the warrior as he conducts a hunting trip in the jungle. He sees his target, takes aim and shoots a dart that seldom misses the mark.

Melanau - Tarian Menyak
This dance showcases the community work of the Melanau as they process sago, for making sago pearls.

Melanau - Alu-Alu
This dance is performed during funeral rites as a way to comfort the relatives and friends of the departed.

Malay - Senandong Sarawak
This dance combines two popular Malay dances - the Dayang Sari followed by the ever-popular joget.

Malay - Tarian Royong
This is a modern dance depicting the playfulness of the Malay youth after a hard day's work.

Iban - Ngajat Lesong
Ngajat Lesong is performed by an Iban warrior who demonstrates the extraordinary strength of his teeth by lifting a mortar that weigh around 20 kg. This dance shows the warrior's agility as well as endurance.

Iban - Ngajat Pahlawan
This dance is performed by the village folk to welcome the return of their warriors especially after a victorious battle.

Traditional Dances

Introduction To Traditional Dances

Dance is a type of  art that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, performed in many different cultures and used as a form of expression, social interactions or presented in a spiritual or performance.

Dance are dependent on social, cultural, artistic,aesthetic and moral constraints and range from functional movement such as folk dance to virtuoso techniques such as ballet. Dance can be participatory, social or performed for an audience. It can also be ceremonial, competitive or erotic. Dance movements may be without significance in themselves, such as in ballet or European folk dance, or have a gestural, vocabulary, symbolic system as in many Asian dances. Dance can embody or express ideas, emotions or tell a story.

Dancing has evolved many styles. Breakdancing and Krumping are related to the hip hop culture. African dance is interpretative. Ballet, Ballroom, Waltz, and Tango are classical styles of dance while Square Dance and the Electric Dance are forms of step dances.

Every dance, no matter what style, has something in common. It not only involves flexibility and body movement, but also physics.