Dance History and Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is the meaning of the German word 'damson' from which the term 'dance' is derived?

To leap

To rotate

To stretch/to drag (correct)

To flow

In the prehistoric period, dance served primarily as a means of communication for what types of life events?

Economic transactions and trade agreements

Everyday movements and life events (correct)

Religious rituals and celebrations

Artistic expression and cultural statements

Which of the following was not a classification of dance in ancient civilization periods?

Spontaneous dances

Acrobatic dances

Martial arts dances (correct)

Religious dances

Who were considered the major dancers in ancient civilizations, particularly in Egypt?

The king, the priests, and virgin dancers Signup and view all the answers

What role did shamans play in prehistoric dance?

They acted as religious leaders, physicians, and lead dancers. Signup and view all the answers

Which dance is characterized by wild hopping, stamping, and throwing the female partner in the air?

Waltz Signup and view all the answers

Who is considered the Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing?

Francisca Reyes Aquino Signup and view all the answers

What type of dance is the Charleston known for?

Lively movements with partner interaction Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the Boogaloo dance?

Combination of Latin, African American, rhythm and blues Signup and view all the answers

Which folk dance from Luzon is performed as a hunting ritual before a tribal war?

Idaw Signup and view all the answers

The Macarena became a popular dance craze primarily due to its:

Catchy music and distinctive arm movements Signup and view all the answers

What role did male dancers play in court ballet during the late 16th and 17th centuries?

Both male and female roles Signup and view all the answers

The Banga dance from the Visayas showcases which activity?

Fetching water by balancing pots on the head Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was the first female professional dancer of the Academie Royal de la Musique et de Dance?

Mila La Fontaine Signup and view all the answers

What change occurred in the 18th century regarding dance in the Paris Opera?

Equal opportunities for male and female dancers Signup and view all the answers

Which dance is commonly associated with 1970s disco culture?

Disco Signup and view all the answers

In which era did female dancers start to take lead roles as winged, unearthly beings?

Romantic Era Signup and view all the answers

What was a common characteristic of ballroom dances in the 19th century?

Must follow a set of written guidelines Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the Cotillion ballroom dance?

Requires many figures and practice by a group Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ballroom dances was introduced to English society in 1815?

Quadrille Signup and view all the answers

What thematic elements were common in 18th-century ballets?

Mythology, Fantasy, and Realism Signup and view all the answers

What role did dance play in the context of the Ancient Greek army?

It was performed to enhance morale and courage. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Deixis' refer to in Ancient Greek dance?

Pure dance that portrays the essence of beings. Signup and view all the answers

In Ancient Rome, who primarily performed dances during religious and social events?

Slaves from Greece and other conquered nations. Signup and view all the answers

What type of dances did the Salii perform?

War dances in full armor during religious celebrations. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'Locomotor' actions in dance?

Movements that involve traveling from one place to another. Signup and view all the answers

How did feudalism and knighthood influence dance during the Middle Ages?

They established a code of etiquette and manners for dancing. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the 'Fourth Position' in basic arm and feet positions?

One arm overhead, one arm in front of the chest, and one foot in front of the other Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of dance does 'Schemata' emphasize?

The form and shape of gestures during execution. Signup and view all the answers

Which dance is specifically identified with the Mindanao region and reflects the culture of Muslim Filipinos?

Pangalay Signup and view all the answers

What does 'KiniKini' signify in the context of Mindanao dances?

A dance associated with Muslim culture Signup and view all the answers

Why did wealthy Romans prefer to hire dancers rather than dance themselves?

They believed dance was beneath their social status. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of hand and arm movements, what does 'Masiwak' involve?

Turning hands from the wrists halfway clockwise Signup and view all the answers

What type of dance formation does 'Set' refer to?

Formation composed of two or more pairs Signup and view all the answers

Which dance is NOT a part of the identified dances from Mindanao?

Jotas Signup and view all the answers

Which arm movement is characterized by hands at the waistline with fingers pointing in the rear?

Hands on Waist Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Clockwise' refer to in dance movements?

Moving any part of the body like the motion of a clock's hands Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Dance Basics

Dance evolved from the German word “damson” meaning to stretch/to drag.
It is considered the oldest art form.
Dance is a natural expression of united feeling and action, used for self-expression, recreation, competition, and active lifestyle.

Prehistoric Dance

Dance was integrated into everyday movements.
It was used for communication within communities, specifically for life events such as birth, puberty, courtship, marriage, and death.
Shamans were crucial figures in these events, functioning as physicians, religious leaders, and lead dancers.

Ancient Civilization Dance

Egyptians used dance primarily to express their religious services, teachings, and ancient myths.
The King, the priests, and the virgin dancers were the primary performers.
Dance was further categorized into movements, acrobatic, imitative, pair, group, war, dramatic, lyric, grotesque, funeral, and religious categories.

Ancient Crete Dance

Dance was connected to their religious ceremonies, fertility rites, myths, and symbols.
Dance helped perfect timing in the army, according to Homer, a Greek writer.
Cretan women participated in circle dances around altars, holding hands and purifying whatever was in the center. This fact was documented by Sappho, a Greek poet.

Ancient Greek Dance

Dances were highly structured and organized.
95140 body movements were identified within these dances.
Dancers were required to sing while performing.
Greek armies performed dance to inspire courage and strength to preserve honor and valor.
Phorai and Cheironomia were Greek terms that described the body's carriage during dance and mimetic gestures.
Schemata focused on the form and shape of gestures and execution.
Deixis was a type of pure dance performed by male Greek dancers, portraying the essence of humans, animals, or natural elements.

Ancient Rome Dance

Dance was used for religious, social and entertainment purposes.
Burlesque, erotic, comic, and frightening elements were highlighted.
Performers were slaves from Greece and other conquered nations, they had low status as professionals and less respect.
Wealthy Romans preferred to watch dances performed by slaves, rather than performing themselves.
The Salii, a group dancing priests from the noble class, executed war dances in full armor with sacred shields and staves during religious celebrations.
The god Mars was worshipped, and they oversaw rites for purification and funeral ceremonies.
Theyperformed fertility dances in honor of the god Pan.
Pantomimes (solo silent performances using stylized gestures) and mimes were popular performances.
The person who performed pantomimes was known as a pantomimist.

Middle Ages and the Renaissance Dance

Dance became a demonstration of manners.
Celebrations, amusement, and entertainment were key elements.
Dance was connected with the Church (liturgical/sacred) and society (secular).
Priests and clergy performed ritual processions during eucharistic celebrations.
Bishops led sacred devotional dances during feast days and Sundays.
During the 12th century, Feudalism and Knighthood created a code of decorum, loyalty, bravery, romantic love, and chivalry.
This code influenced dance, giving it a rigid etiquette, manners, and rules for courtly love.

Elements of Dance

Body

Symmetrical: Balanced, identical on both sides.
Asymmetrical: Unbalanced, not symmetrical.

Action

Locomotor: Performer moves from one location to another.
Non-Locomotor: Performed in a stationary place.

Space

Direction - Travel in any direction, forward, backward, side, etc.
Level - High, medium, low.
Size - Larger, smaller actions.
Focus - Change focus by looking in different directions.

Late 16th and 17th Centuries Dance

Dancers and personalities were influential in shaping ballet.
France was at the forefront of dance.
Catherine de Medici, Queen of France from 1547 to 1559, brought Italian court influence to France with the "Ballet Comique de la Reine" in 1581.
Within Court Ballets, male dancers played both male and female roles.
Mila La Fontaine was the first female professional dancer of the Academie Royal de la Musique et de Dance in 1681.
The following were notable ballets in the 17th Century: Ballet de la Nuit (1653)

18th Century Dance

Ballroom and theatrical dance separated technically and aesthetically.
Technically, ballroom dance maintained fundamental techniques.
Aesthetical ballroom dance further developed into dancesport or competitive ballroom dancing, incorporating fundamental elements of the ballroom.
The Paris Opera was established, providing equal opportunities for male and female professional dancers.
Danseurs Nobles assumed leading roles in ballets.
Professional female dancers enhanced their movements with beat, turns, and leg extensions.
Common themes included mythology, fantasy, and realism.

19th Century Dance

It encompassed the Romantic era which emphasized female dancers taking lead roles.
During this era, female dancers were portrayed as winged, unearthly beings, such as nymphs and fairies, while male dancers occupied supporting roles.
Codes of etiquette for attending balls were strictly enforced for both men and women.
A Master of Ceremonies would prepare written guidelines, activities, and instructions for dances.
The following were popular ballroom dances:
- Cotillion: With many figures, requiring group practice.
- Polonaise: Partners danced side by side behind a lead couple, performed in triple time with one step repeated throughout.
- Quadrille: Performed in a stately manner, then in an accelerated one, introduced to English society in 1815.
- Waltz: Danced in triple time by single couples in a close embrace, incorporating wild hopping, stamping, and throwing of the female partner in the air.
- Polka : Fast, hopping steps in 2/4 time music, originating from Poland (former Czechoslovakia)

20th Century Dance

The early part of the century was referred to as “dance fever".
Notable dance and music genres included:
- Ragtime: With a syncopated melodic line.
- Castle Walk:
- Charleston:
- Black Bottom: Similar to the Charleston, originating from New Orleans.
- Lindy Hop: A combination of jazz, tap, breakaway, and Charleston, sometimes called a street dance.
- Boogaloo: A combination of Latin, African-American, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and soul music.
- Twist:
- Psychedelic Dance:
- Disco: The 1970s "dance bang" by disco jocks, a blend of jazz, soul, and rhythm and blues.
Dance trends of this era included:
- Macarena: A top 100 US song for 60 weeks, and became an international dance craze with its arm movements and hip-swiveling actions.
- Street Dance:

Philippine Folk Dance

Folk Dance reflects the life of people from a particular country or region.
It is passed down through generations.

Francisca Reyes Aquino

Known as the "Mother of Philippine Folk Dancing".
Her thesis, "Philippine Folk Dances and Games" (1926) was a pioneering work.
Key publications include:
- Philippine National Dances (1946)
- Gymnastics for Girls (1947)
- Dance Steps and Music (1948)
Aquino was assisted by Ramon P. Tolentino in promoting folk dances in Physical Education classes.
Antonio Buenaventura assisted in composing and recording music for these dances.

Nature of Philippine Folk Dances

Luzon

The northern part of the Philippines.
Represented by Cordillera tribes.
Notable dances include:
- Idaw: A hunting ritual performed before tribal wars, featuring tribesmen observing the scared “idaw bird”.
- Banga: Portrays Cordillera women carrying water for their family in clay pots.
- Idudu: Depicts Tinggian or Itneg couples taking turns caring for children while working on their fields.

Visayas

A group of islands in central Philippines.
Influences include western, Arabian, and Spanish.
Many dances draw inspiration from animal movements.
Notable dances include:
- Tinikling:
- Kuratsa:
- Itik-itk:
- Inalimango:

Mindanao

The southern part of the Philippines.
Reflects the culture of Muslim Filipinos and their religion.
Popular dances include:
- Singkil:
- KiniKini:
- Asik:
- Pangalay

General Classifications of Dances

Lesson 4: Philippine Folk Dance

General Terms

Clockwise: Movement of the body, hands, arms, shoulders, in the same direction as the hands of a clock.
Counter-clockwise: Movement in the opposite direction of the hands of a clock.
Set: A dance formation, usually square or unit formation of two or more pairs of dancers.

Basic Arm and Foot Positions

First Position: Arms circle in front of the chest. Heels are close to touch, toes apart.
Second Position: Both arms are extended sideward. Feet are apart sideward.
Third Position: One arm is overhead, while the other arm remains in second position. The heel of one foot touches the instep of the other foot.
Fourth Position: One arm is overhead, while the other arm is in front of the chest in a half-circle. One foot is in front of the other.
Fifth Position: Both arms are overhead. The heel of one foot touches the toes of the other foot.
Illustration of Foot Positions:

No description available

Hand and Arm Movements

Hands on waist: Hands at the waistline, with knuckles in and fingers pointing to the rear.
Hayon-hayon: One forearm is in front, and the other is at the back of the waist.
Masiwak: Turn hands from the wrists halfway clockwise, then raise and lower them once or twice.
Kumintang: Move the hand from the wrist in a circular motion, clockwise or counter-clockwise.
Arms in Reverse T: Arms in a horizontal position on the side, elbows bent at right angles, forearms parallel to the head, palms facing forward or inward, fists loosely closed.
Arms in Lateral Position: Both arms are at one side (right or left), at shoulder, chest, or waist level.
Salok: Swinging arms downwards and upwards, passing in front of the body as if scooping.

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Explore the intriguing evolution of dance from its prehistoric roots to its significance in ancient civilizations. This quiz delves into the cultural expressions, styles, and purposes of dance throughout history. Test your knowledge on how dance has shaped human experiences and communication.