Dancing

-is the rhythmical movement of the body, usually with music, to express an idea or emotion, to narrate a story or simply to enjoy and take pleasure in the movement itself.

Dance may have been the very first means of communication.

Dance of the earliest times differ from those of the present times; the dance of the barrio folks differ from those of the city.

There are primitive and non-primitive dances. Indians dance to give thanks for a harvest, the Mexicans to celebrate a religious festival, teenagers dance at parties, and children everywhere dance because it is pleasurable to express joy through bodily movements or body language.

Origin and Functions of the Dance

Dancing has primitive beginnings. The rhythm that spurred on the dances mostly came from the beat sustained through the stamping of the feet on the ground.

Footwork is a regular recurrence of beat or shouts as the dancers roused themselves to a frenzy of activity.

The earliest dances may have been simple expressions of pleasure or acts related to courtship.

Soon, dance was used for purposes of affecting the whole tribe; hunting dace to depict the capture of a prey or a warlike dance to show the defeat of an enemy.

There were dances of thanksgiving for a good harvest, good weather and wanted rain.

Components of the Dance1. The Dancer

It is through the body of the dancer that the art of dancing is portrayed, and the physical, emotional and natural characteristics of the dancer that determine the quality and the nature of the dance.

2. The Choreographer The arranger of dances, either for a soloist or for

a group and is the most important figure in dance history.

3. Accompaniment to the DanceDance can be accompanied by all kinds of sound.

The first accompaniment were stamping, clapping and chanting and then, possibly drumming.

Song has also played an important part at the time of opera ballets of the 17th and 18th centuries in Western, Europe, where the art of music, dance and song were inseparably linked.

4. Theatrical Effects

Every device of costume, make-up and theatrical effect can be used. Make-up and costumes of the ancient dances of Japan, China and India are astounding in their complexity and significance that each part of the costume and painting of the face plays in the dance dramas.

Kinds of Dances Natural or untutored dance Solo or Group Dance

The solo dance, performed by a single dancer, to demonstrate a particular technique or style of dancing.

Group dances are categorized as folk dance, ballroom dancing and ballet.

Ethnic DanceDance that is indigenous to a certain race or

country.

Court DanceSocial accomplishments polished from materials

usually found among folk dances and used for court entertainment.

Ballroom DanceSocial or popular dance performed by couples

Theatrical DanceSocial or popular dance performed by couples

Modern DanceGroup dancing as in discotheque

Philippine Folk Dances1. Alay – a dance in Tagalog Region performed as an

offering to a special guest or honoree as welcome gesture.

2. Escotis – a Visayan folk dance performed in any social gathering of the people. The girl wears siesgo skirt while the boy wears Camisa de Chino and pants of any color.

3. Kinoton – a folk dance from Ilocos Region. This depicts the movement of person bitten by ants. The dancer is a male dressed in Ilocano peasant costume with a buri hat.

4. Kumakaret – a courtship dance in Pangasinan. Kumakaret is a person who makes wine, tuba or vinegar from sasa. The dancers perform the dance with the use of glasses half-filled with tuba.

5. Lagundi – another Visayan dance w/c originated in Iloilo. The steps used in this dance depict the stiff knee and the dragging foot of the dancer suffering from rheumatism.

6. Palakis – a courtship dance from Western Bontoc performed at wedding celebrations and during festivals like Cañao and Begnas.

7. Pangalay – a popular festival dance in Sulu and performed in wedding celebrations and at big social affairs.

8. National Rice Festival – depicts the different steps in rice growing as practiced in the different regions in the Philippines.

9. Singkil – this dance originated from Lanao del Sur. To the rhythmic clapping of bamboo poles, the dancers weave expertly through criss-crossed bamboos, waving big fans and men flipping brightly colored handkerchief.

OTHER FOLK DANCES Jotabal – derived from the words Jota and valse.

Jota is a popular dance introduced in Philippines by the Spaniards. Valse means waltz, a step or dance in ¾ time.

Sakuting – is a folk dance of the Ilocanos usually performed during Christmas. Groups of boys and girls perform house to house receiving many gifts in return.

Bilaan – is a dance that depicts the lively, simple movements of birds in flight, beautifully portrayed by tribal maidens with costumes typical of Ethnic tribe.

Pagdiwata – dance originating from Tagbanua tribe of Palawan which depicts rituals after a rice harvest.

Sua-sua – dance from Jolo, Sulu. It is a courtship dance of the lover to his lady love, accompanied by song, comparing her to delicate, little while blossoms of the pomelo.

Balangbang – is a native victory dance of the Mountain Province, Philippines

Itik-itik – is a native dance interpreting the playfulness of ducklings wading in the river

Salakot – the dance give importance to the headwear usually used by women called Salakot.

Maglalatik – it depicts the intricate process in the making of a native delicacy; the “latik” a mixture of thick cocomilk and molasses by constantly stirring over slow fire.