Introduction to Rhythmic Activities and Dance

Introduction to Rhythmic Activities

• Rhythm exists in nature and dance showcases it
• Rhythmic activities show physical responses to rhythm emotionally and mentally, especially in children
• Rhythm denotes movement quality and the basis of dance and music, creating creative movements

Definition of Dance

• Dance is movement set to music having structure, organization and patterns
• It embodies cultural identity, fusion, transcending cultural and geographic boundaries
• Dance uses the human body to communicate emotions through organized patterns

Importance of Dance in Culture

• Philippine dances are cultural heritage, part of every Filipino child's experience and never dies
• Dancing expresses emotions disciplined by rhythm, derived from the German word "danson" (to stretch)
• Dancing and rhythmic activities provides several health benefits like: Contributes to heart health, Relieves stress, Enhances mental health, Improves social skills

Evolution of Dance in the Primitive Era

• Understanding dance requires historical perspective
• Primitive humans had simple lifestyles with limited technology
• During this time, dance was considered its purest form, not refined by artists
• Early Filipinos believed dances express community life, ritualistic animations and fate within their gods' hands

Ethnic Dances in the Philippines

• Found within ethnolinguistic groups across the islands, less influenced by Westernization
• Mountain regions of Northern Luzon are known as the Philippine Skyland

The Cordillera People

• The Cordillera people consist of six ethnolinguistic groups: Ibaloy, Kankanai, Ifugao, Kalinga, Apayao, Bontoc
• Each mountain tribe has unique dance patterns with shared socio-cultural traits

Common Religious Beliefs of the Cordillera People

• They are generally animistic
• They give offerings to household gods called "anitos"
• Dance often occurs around sacred idols/fire

Expression of Community Life

• Dance animates rituals, ceremonies and self-edification for performers and spectators
• Dances serves the purposes to: Appease gods/ancestors, Cure ailments, Ensure success in war, Ward off ill-luck
• Dances can also: Socialize, Provide outlet for feelings, Ensure harvests
• It marks milestones like birth, weddings and death

Characteristics of Cordillera Dances

• Cordillera dances are less structured than other Filipino ethnic dances
• Hand movements often go downward, symbolizing closeness to the earth
• A prayer pose lifts one arm forward and upwards
• Palms facing down often signify activities or celebrations

Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago Dance

• These are influenced by strong Muslim culture and trade with other merchants
• There are cultural exchanges involving Hindu-Arabic-Malayan cultures

Tribes Embraced in Islam

• Nine Filipino tribes embraced Islam
• From Mindanao: Maranao, Maguindanao, Sanggil
• From Sulu Archipelago: Yakan, Samal, Lama Mapun, Tausug
• Other regions: Malbog, Palawani, Badjaos

Moslem Dance Traits

• These dances are linked to Indo-Malayan worlds and Islamic cultures
• They absorbed Hindu-Malayan-Arabic influences, combining elements for a unique style

Cultural Minorities' Dances

• Cultural minorities live in isolation in hills and mountains
• Dance is a basic part of life, performed for the gods, with simple rhythmic movements and rustic nature
• These are shared by tribes from northern Luzon to the Sulu Seas

Primitive Dance Classification

• Ritual dances connect material and spiritual worlds, sustaining social lives of indigenous Filipinos
• Also performed with instruments, chanting, communal life cycles, serving expression, entertainment
• Beliefs and practices of indigenous Filipinos are attuned to nature, believing in spirits
• Rites enacted with instruments/chanting

Babaylan (Medicine Men)

• The Medicine Men are consider the first choreographers or composers, respected/feared
• Some dance is performed in gratitude for harvest, seeking protection from deities or general well-being

Life-Cycled, Daling-Daling, Occupational Dances

• Life-cycle dances celebrate birth, baptism, courtship, wedding, demise
• Daling-daling of Tausug showcases grace & affection and is a courtship dance
• Occupational dances transform celebrations, reflecting activities related to livelihood/defense in ethnic communities
• They depict activities like planting or fishing and usually infused with storytelling

Specific Mimetic and Occupational Dances

• Tauti portrays catching catfish
• Mimetic dance imitates surrounding animal life and are graphic/symbolic
• Pinuhag imitates honey-gathering bees

Spanish Colonial Influences

• The Spanish colonized the islands for 333 years
• They arrived on March 16, 1521
• Catholic missionaries added native tradition to rituals
• Created a mix of Christian-pagan beliefs
• Native traditions declined in arts with European dances introduced

European Dances

• Jota originated in Spain, featuring lively movements, castanets, quick footwork, and graceful arm
• Fandango is a lively Spanish dance with intricate footwork, hand claps
• Habenera is a Cuban dance known for its slow rhythm and walking step
• Some Indigenous dances survived if practiced from mountain tribes and minority groups

Phases of Dance: Fundamental Rhythm

• Fundamental rhythm stresses on locomotor, non-locomotor and manipulative skills
• The purpose is to provide child with movement experiences to develop a sense of rhythm
• Locomotor movements moves the body from one spot to the other

Examples of Locomotor and Non-Locomotor Movements

• Locomotor: walk, skip, run, slide, hop, leap, jump, gallop
• Non-locomotor/axial movements: bending, turning, flexing, pushing, stretching, pulling, swinging, lifting, twisting

Fundamental Motor Rhythms

• Creativity can be developed through problem-solving by incorporating various locomotor movements

Expressive Movements

• Children can express moods through improvising dances, show different aspects of gestures

Identification and Dramatization

• Endless subjects for identification by interpreting familiar characters
• Ideas that are useful for rhythms involving dramatization are: Holidays (Christmas), Stories (Little Red Riding Hood)

Singing Movement and Folk Dance

• Singing movement includes action songs + games
• Folk dance has specific patterns and is tradition is passed down through culture
• It is communal and unique, based on group participation

Types of Folk Dance

• Cordillera dances are given by the Spanish Conquistadors done to appease ancestors
• Spanish influence is seen in society (Rigidon, Carinosa, Jota)
• Moslem dance is the oldest of Philippines, bright colors and gestures (Singkil, Kappa Malong)
• Rural dances reflect joy and beauty like in the Rural Suite where women wear balintawak, and men chino camisa

Tribal and Social Dance

• Tribal dance takes place in Mindanao by the tribes such as T'boli
• Social dance for designed for group participation and music

Latin American and Modern Standard Dances

• Latin American dances features are vibrant with drums, close or open and colorful outfits (Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Rumba)
• Modern Standard is often elegant with coat and tie and structured (Slow Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Quickstep)

Theatrical Dance

• Theatrical Dance is dance that is performed to entertain:
• Ethnologic dance is a dance from traditions
• Ballet is known to a dance in Italy then perfected by Russia and France
• Modern dance is a dance created to show emotions and break from Ballet started by Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis (freedom to create)

Dance Terminology

• Dance - is an elegant and regular movement harmoniously composed of beautiful body attitudes
• Choreography - is the art of making dance
• Design - a pattern in shapes and time
• Dynamic - variations, changes and contrasts within an existing time-space, bringing about excitement and heightened interest
• Energy - Strength, power of force for action
• Ethnic - Coming from or a belonging to the distinctive cultural or aesthetic traditions of particular country or people
• Folk - originating among or representative of the common people
• Folk Art - the traditional typically anonymous art of the people that is an expression of community life.
• Folk Dance - a traditional dance of a given country which had been evolved by them instinctively and spontaneously in conjunction with the everyday activities and experiences of the people who developed them
• Gestures - movement used to emphasize an idea or emotion
• Improvisation - to simultaneously compose or to preform or to extemporize
• Measure - Group of beats
• Modern Dance - is theatrical dance of a temporary approach, technique or style, emerging from and reflective of the 20th century, Isadora Duncan and Ruth St. Denis
• National Dance - a folk dance which is popularly dance in most parts of a specific country
• Set - a dance unit or formation