Folk dance

A folk dance is a dance developed by people that reflect the life of the people of a certain country
or region.[1] Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, ritual dances or dances of ritual
origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "Religious dances"
because of their purpose. The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to
emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones. If
some dances, such as polka, cross ethnic boundaries and even cross the boundary between "folk"
and "ballroom dance", ethnic differences are often considerable enough to mention.

Folk dances share some or all of the following attributes:

• Dances are usually held at folk dance gatherings or social functions by people with little or
no professional training, often to traditional music.
• Dances not generally designed for public performance or the stage, though they may later
be arranged and set for stage performances.
• Execution dominated by an inherited tradition from various international cultures rather
than innovation (though folk traditions change over time).
• New dancers often learn informally by observing others or receiving help from others.

Different Types of Folk Dance

Some of the most notable folk dances from all around the world are:

• Belly dancing- Belly dance is one of the most famous oriental folk dances in the world. It is
an expressive form dance that originated from Egypt, and it emphasizes the complex
movement of the torso and entire body utilizing sudden percussive movements, unstopping
fluid body motions and presence of small and fast shimmies, shivers and vibrations of the
hips or the ribcage. Belly dance is regarded as very sensual, emotional and captivating.
• Ball de bastons – Weapon dance from Spain and Portugal
• Céilidh – Gaelic folk dance originating from Scotland and Ireland
• Clogging – Folk dance that features beating of heavy footwear on the floor
• English country dance – Traditional English folk dance that is also danced in France and
Germany
• Fandango – Traditional Spanish couples dance that is accompanied by guitars and
clapping hands or castanets.
• Georgian folk dances – They include dances such as Kartuli, Khorumi, Acharuli, Partsa,
Kazbeguri, Khevsuruli and many others.
• Greek dances – Rich Greek history has borne over 100 of traditional folk dances, including
a dozen that was danced at ancient feasts such as Angelica, Carpaea, Cordax and others.
• Hora - Traditional folk dance of Balkans, danced in Montenegro, Macedonia, Bulgaria and
several other countries.
• Kolo – Folk dance of that is danced in South Slavic countries such as Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia,
Macedonia, and Slovenia.
 • Irish Dance – Traditional folk dance that has several forms of dancing, including popular
Irish Step Dance.
• Italian folk dance – Italy is a home of many popular folk dances such as Tarantella, Pizzica,
Monferrina, Calabrian Tarantella and Ballu tundu.
• Jota – Popular Spanish folk dance.
• Morris Dance – Traditional English dance is originating from the 15th century.
• Polka – Very popular traditional dance from the Czech Republic that is danced today all
around the world.
• Turkish dances – Bar, Halay, Horon, Zeybek and Sufi spinning dance.
• Hungarian dances – Most famous Hungarian folk dances are Verbuňk, Ugrós, Karikázóm,
Legényes and Csárdás.
• Polska – Traditional folk dance of Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland and
Norway)
• Square Dance – Traditional dance originating from England, it involves four pairs of
dancers.
• Sword (or Weapon) dances – Genre of folk dances, consisting of dozens upon dozens of
individual dances from all around the world
• Dollu Kunitha – Very popular drum-based dance from India.
• Bhangra – Famous Punjabi harvest dance.
• Attan - The national dance of Pashtun regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Khigga – Celebration or Wedding circle dance of Assyria
• Odori – Japanese folk dance, performed at streets during celebrations and parades
• Buyō – Japanese geisha and artist dance.

The Philippines enjoys a rich cultural heritage which includes a diverse collection of traditional
dances. From the well-known national dance the Tinikling, which pays homage to the movements
of a much-loved bird, to dances that reflect elements of daily Philippine life, these folk dances all
offer a glimpse into the history of the country.

Traditional Folk Dances of the Philippines

The Philippines has many popular folk dances which have evolved and changed as they have been
passed down from generation to generation. Although a particular dance might be performed
slightly differently from one region to the next, its remains true to its roots. Here are some of the
most popular dances from the region.
List of Philippine Folk Dances

• The Itik-Itik

The best description of the Itik-Itik is that the steps mimic the way a duck walks, as well as the way
it splashes water on its back to attract a mate. According to popular tradition, the dance was
created by a lady named Kanang who choreographed the steps while dancing at a baptismal party.
The other guests copied her movements, and everyone liked the dance so much that it has been
passed along ever since.

• The Tinikling

The Tinikling is considered by many to be the Philippines' national dance. The dance's movements
imitate the movement of the tikling bird as it walks around through tall grass and between tree
branches. People perform the dance using bamboo poles. The dance is composed of three basic
steps which include singles, doubles and hops. It looks similar to playing jump rope, except that the
dancers perform the steps around and between the bamboo poles, and the dance becomes faster
until someone makes a mistake and the next set of dancers takes a turn.

• The Sayaw sa Bangko

The Sayaw sa Bangko is performed on top of a narrow bench. Dancers need good balance as they
go through a series of movements that include some impressive acrobatics. This dance traces its
roots back to the areas of Pangapisan, Lingayen and Pangasinan.

• The Binasuan

The Binasuan is an entertaining dance that is usually performed at festive social occasions like
weddings and birthdays. Dancers carefully balance three half-filled glasses of rice wine on their
heads and hands as they gracefully spin and roll on the ground. The dance originated in Bayambang
in the Pangasinan province, and though it's usually performed alone, it can also become a
competition between several dancers.

• The Pandanggo sa Ilaw

The Pandanggo sa Ilaw is similar to a Spanish Fandango, but the Pandanggo is performed while
balancing three oil lamps - one on the head, and one in each hand. It's a lively dance that originated
on Lubang Island. The music is in 3/4 time and is usually accompanied by castanets.
 • The Pandanggo Oasiwas

The Pandanggo Oasiwas is similar to the Pandanggo sa Ilaw, and is typically performed by
fishermen to celebrate a good catch. In this version, the lamps are placed in cloths or nets and
swung around as the dancers circle and sway.

• The Maglalatik

The Maglalatik is a mock war dance that depicts a fight over coconut meat, a highly-prized food.
The dance is broken into four parts: two devoted to the battle and two devoted to reconciling. The
men of the dance wear coconut shells as part of their costumes, and they slap them in rhythm with
the music. The Maglalatik is danced in the religious procession during the fiesta of Biñan as an
offering to San Isidro de Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

• The Kuratsa

The Kuratsa is described as a dance of courtship and is often performed at weddings and other
social occasions. The dance has three parts. The couple first performs a waltz. In the second part,
the music sets a faster pace as the man pursues the woman around the dance floor in a chase. To
finish, the music becomes even faster as the man wins over the woman with his mating dance.

• La Jota Moncadeña

The La Jota Moncadeña is adapted by the Filipinos from an old Spanish dance. It's a combination
of Spanish and Ilocano dance steps set to Spanish music and castanets. A more solemn version
of this dance is sometimes used to accompany a funeral procession, but it is also performed at
celebrations.

• The Kappa Malong-Malong

The Kappa Malong-Malong is a Muslim-influenced dance. The malong is a tubular garment, and
the dance essentially shows the many ways it can be worn. There are men's and women's versions
of the dance since they wear malongs in different ways.

• The Habanera Botolena

The Habanera Botolena is a strongly flamenco-influenced dance that comes from Botolan,
Zambales. It combines Filipino and Spanish steps, and is a popular dance at weddings. It is also
considered a courting dance in some situations.
 • The Pantomina

Also known as the Dance of the Doves, the Pantomina mimics the courtship between doves and is
often also a courtship dance between the couples that perform it. This dance is an important part
of the Sorsogon Kasanggayahan Festival held each October, where it is mainly performed by the
elders of the community.

• The Cariñosa

The Cariñosa is a dance made for flirting! Dancers make a number of flirtatious movements as they
hide behind fans or handkerchiefs and peek out at one another. The essence of the dance is the
courtship between two sweethearts.

• The Surtido

Surtido literally means "assortment," and this square dance combines influences of French, Spanish
and Mexican dance. Traditionally the Surtido is performed by a head couple accompanied by two
other couples who lead all the dancers through various formations that resemble an old-fashioned
quadrille.

• The Singkil

The Singkil is a dance traditionally performed by single women to attract the attention of potential
suitors. Dancers perform a series of graceful movements as they step in and out from between
bamboo poles which are rhythmically clapped together. Fans and scarves are often used to
enhance the dancers' movements.

• The Polkabal

The Polkabal shows some European influence in its steps. The dance is composed of nine different
steps which include various movements such as fluttering, stepping heel-to-toe, a reenactment of
a bull fight, and even a leisurely walk.

• The Magkasuyo

The Magkasuyo is a variation of the balse - the one-two-three graceful triple meter that Filipino
traditional dance borrowed from the Spanish waltz. It is a formal series of close-step-close
movements with a couple facing each other in a courtship configuration. Balse incorporates
German and Spanish influence, but the Magkasuyo is the specific invention of Quezon province, a
large farming and fishing region southeast of Manila with a rich tradition of outside influences,
including Spanish, Malay, and Muslim. A popular song Magkasuyo Buong Gabi (Lovers for the
Night) expands on the romantic nature of the dance.
Characteristics of Philippine Folk dances:

• In general, dancers stand apart.

Common basic steps use in folk dance:

1. Step close

2. Step point

3. Step swing

4. Step brush

5. Step raise

6. Step hop

7. Bleking step

8. Waltz balance step

9. Slide step

10. Mazurka step

11. Waltz step cross waltz