History of Dance Overview

Definition and Purpose of Dance

• Originates from the German word "damson," meaning "to stretch" or "to drag."
• Serves as a natural expression of collective feeling and action.
• Acts as a societal mirror, reflecting historical, religious, and political contexts.
• Primarily performed for four reasons: to please gods, others, oneself, and to build community within ethnic groups.

Historical Development of Dance

Prehistoric Period

• Major form of religious ritual and social expression in primitive cultures.
• Used to reinforce tribal unity, based on superstition and magic.
• Shamans, acting as lead dancers, served as healers and religious leaders.

Ancient Civilizations

• Ancient Egypt (c. 3,300 BCE)

  • Earliest known dancers were Egyptians, depicted in rock art.
  • Dance used in religious service and ancient myth education.
  • Key figures: kings, priests (performing magical dances), and trained virgin dancers.

• Ancient Crete (c. 3000-1400 BC)

  • Cultural link between Egyptians and Greeks.
  • Dance utilized for military training and excellence.

• Ancient Greece

  • Dance combined religious purposes, military training, and entertainment.
  • Plato emphasized dance in education, distinguishing between noble and ignoble forms.

• Ancient Rome

  • Initially unappreciated, later condemned by early Christians.
  • Dance was integral to religious and social occasions but faced restrictions.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

• Dance gained popularity around 1500; marked by the rise of ballet.
• Catherine de Medici's marriage to King Henry II stimulated ballet festivals.
• Ballet established a core influence on many dance forms across Europe.

Modern Dance History

16th and 17th Centuries

• Masque Dancing emerging from elaborate pageants, combining dancing with acting and singing, primarily for court entertainment.
• France became the leading nation in dance during this period.

18th Century

• Classical Persian Dancing (1795)

  • Originated from courtroom dancing during the Qajar Dynasty (1795-1925).
  • Dancers performed lively routines for the Shah, accompanied by small bands.

• Tap Dancing (1800)

  • Evolved from African tribe dances with shoes designed to create percussive sounds.
  • Remains a popular dance style today.

19th Century

• Merengue Dancing (1890)
  • A Caribbean dance characterized by partners holding a tango-like position, symbolizing dynamic cultural expression.

Definition and Purpose of Dance

• Originates from the German word "damson," meaning "to stretch" or "to drag."
• Serves as a natural expression of collective feeling and action.
• Acts as a societal mirror, reflecting historical, religious, and political contexts.
• Primarily performed for four reasons: to please gods, others, oneself, and to build community within ethnic groups.

Historical Development of Dance

Prehistoric Period

• Major form of religious ritual and social expression in primitive cultures.
• Used to reinforce tribal unity, based on superstition and magic.
• Shamans, acting as lead dancers, served as healers and religious leaders.

Ancient Civilizations

• Ancient Egypt (c. 3,300 BCE)

  • Earliest known dancers were Egyptians, depicted in rock art.
  • Dance used in religious service and ancient myth education.
  • Key figures: kings, priests (performing magical dances), and trained virgin dancers.

• Ancient Crete (c. 3000-1400 BC)

  • Cultural link between Egyptians and Greeks.
  • Dance utilized for military training and excellence.

• Ancient Greece

  • Dance combined religious purposes, military training, and entertainment.
  • Plato emphasized dance in education, distinguishing between noble and ignoble forms.

• Ancient Rome

  • Initially unappreciated, later condemned by early Christians.
  • Dance was integral to religious and social occasions but faced restrictions.

Middle Ages and Renaissance

• Dance gained popularity around 1500; marked by the rise of ballet.
• Catherine de Medici's marriage to King Henry II stimulated ballet festivals.
• Ballet established a core influence on many dance forms across Europe.

Modern Dance History

16th and 17th Centuries

• Masque Dancing emerging from elaborate pageants, combining dancing with acting and singing, primarily for court entertainment.
• France became the leading nation in dance during this period.

18th Century

• Classical Persian Dancing (1795)

  • Originated from courtroom dancing during the Qajar Dynasty (1795-1925).
  • Dancers performed lively routines for the Shah, accompanied by small bands.

• Tap Dancing (1800)

  • Evolved from African tribe dances with shoes designed to create percussive sounds.
  • Remains a popular dance style today.

19th Century

• Merengue Dancing (1890)
  • A Caribbean dance characterized by partners holding a tango-like position, symbolizing dynamic cultural expression.

Explore the evolution of dance from prehistoric rituals to ancient civilizations. Understand its significance as a societal reflection and a means of expression across cultures. Delve into the roles of early dancers and the purposes of dance throughout history.