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brief history of traditional african music ks3
History of dance
History of dance
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Dance Around the World
Dance serves as an exposure of expression throughout the world depending on its cultural context and function of either producing a work of art, a way of socializing or its use for ritualistic purposes. Bollywood, one of the most famous styles of cultural dance, in essence is an Indian film dance style modeled on both the traditional Indian classical and folk dance while fusing inspiration from more modern styles, allows the performer to act out the lyrics of a song, fashioning a story. The wild world of African dance on the other hand, represents the fundamentals and belief system of historical Africa, by moving in an expression to their inner feelings. Although these styles of dance may seem to be at either end of the spectrum, each share the similarity of a “mass pattern of dance which may hold a mirror to humanity…functionally allowing the human body to be exposed to the world, communicating in every aspect, whether it is the magnificent art form or the daily movement” (Doris Humphrey). Through analysis and interpretation of both the non-movement and movement components, while examining the function of dance which is present in each cultural art form, the similarities and differences of how they create meaning through dance will be exposed.
African dance provides numerous ways for people to emerge themselves into dance unprofessionally due to its function of being not only social but also historical and ritualistic. By utilizing dance as a way to connect the African community back to their ancestry and nature, each element that formulates each performance is deeply imbedded with meaning and symbols, reflecting back to the traditional lifestyle (Theophile, 2012). In saying so, one of the most importan...
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...while incorporating interests of the modern era.
Ultimately, it is evident that through the use of non-movement and movement components in combination with shifts in functions of dance, Bollywood and African dance are still able to formulate cultural meaning. By comparing African and Indian dance while contrasting how they have transformed over time, the “mass pattern of dance which may hold a mirror to humanity…functionally allowing the human body to be exposed to the world, communicating in every aspect, whether it is the magnificent art form or the daily movement” (Doris Humphrey) enabled an analysis of expression through movement. Generally, by adapting a few elements to better suit the modern day, the face of both Bollywood and African dance is able to still withhold a cultural context while still having the capability of pleasing the contemporary generation.
“Who knows only his own generation remains always a child.” This quote from George Norlin echoes the edification that cultural exposure can offer. How does African dance relate to do modern dance? The two are so heterogeneous in their make-up that one would not think of them as having similarities. The truth, however, is that all dance forms are linked in some way or another; they all strengthen and sharpen each other. Modern dance has its roots in African dance with the emphasis placed on the connection of weight and gravity. Brenda Dixon Gottschild names five aesthetics that are present in African dance. A particular piece that draws attention to the relation of the five aesthetics to modern dance is “Split Sides”, choreographed by Merce Cunningham.
...ating with each other and these are the same values that are being passed on to this generation. The dancers in South-central Los Angeles, uses this form of art to express their feelings and it a form of communicating just like their ancestors did back in there days. At the same time, it allows them to have a much deeper connection with their roots.
In 1938, she choreographed and produced “L’Ag’Ya” in the federal theater in Chicago. In 1939, the Katherine Dunham dance company performed for the Quadres Society. In 1941, her first film was released, “Carnival of Rhythm”. In 1942, she was a featured dancer in the patriotic film Star Spangled Rhythm and staged dances for the film, “Pardon My Sarong”. In 1947, One of Katherine Dunham Groups were able to present her choreography of “The Caribbean Backgrounds” at Howard University in Washington D.C. Something that Dunham can be remembered by is the title of an advisor, in 1966 Dunham was appointed by the president to be an adviser for the World Festival of Negro Arts held in Dakar. (Katherine Dunham Centers, pg. 1). In conclusion, the amazing life of Katherine Dunham and career can be seen as a miraculous one, and although she was not alone Dunham is perhaps one of the best and most influential pioneer of black dance in the world. To this day and age one can say that Katherine Dunham has done her job correctly, because all she wanted was to she wanted to do was make a statement that African-American and African-Caribbean dance styles are related and can be put together to form powerful choreography which she taught here in
Dance is something that has been around for a very long time and throughout the years, has brought together many different cultures. Different forms of dance formed in different parts of the world and they all have different, languages, values, customs, etc. Dance in one part of the world could have a completely different value in another part of the world. And different styles have been created from past knowledge.
Ramsay, B. (2000). Dance theory, sociology, and aesthetics. Dance Research Journal, 32(1), 125-131. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/1478286
While studying the various cultural societies in Africa, one feature that stood out the most was that of rhythmic dependance and integration, particularly in the Ewe and Dagomba people. These two cultures, living not vastly far apart from one another geographically, both use drumming, dancing, and singing as a way to bring together their communities, fulfill spiritual practices and beliefs, and even instantiate individual power in their overall societal structures. Though they certainly have their own differences from one another, such as their overall uses for music and the acceptance of whom can even perform it, their similarities stuck out to me like a sore thumb.
Angeles, Los. (2009). African arts. Volume 28. Published by African Studies Center, University of California.
[6] Cohen, Selma Jeanne. International Encyclopedia of Dance: A Project of Dance Perspectives Foundation, Inc. New York: Oxford UP, 1998. Print.
Learning about Dance: Dance as an Art Form and Entertainment provides visions into the many features of dance and inspires scholars to keep an open mind and think critically about the stimulating, bold, ever-changing and active world of dance. Learning about Dance is particularly useful for those who do not have a wide and diverse dance contextual, such as students in a preliminary level or survey dance course. This book consists of twelve chapters. Chapter one dance as an art form focuses on the basic structures of dance. Dance is displayed through the human body, it has the control to communicate and induce reactions. Dance can be found in many different places, it enables the participants and seekers to touch and knowledge the joy of movement. Dance is discovered as being one of the oldest art forms worldwide. Dance existed in early cultures was recognized in a sequence of rock paintings portrayed dance. Since this discovery of rock paintings, several other forms of art have been found that depict dance. People used rituals in order to worship the gods and believed that the rituals held magical and spiritual powers. During the ancient period civilizations sentient decisions began to be made with regard to dance. Other periods that had an impact on dance were the medieval period, the renaissance period, and the contemporary period. Chapter two the choreographer, the choreographer is a person who comes up with the movements created into a dance routine. The choreographer expresses themselves through choreography because this is their way of communicating with the audience. In order to be a choreographer you must have a passion for dance. Each choreographer has their own approaches and ways of making up a routine. Choreographers ...
Considering descendants’ effort to bring this culture back in society, this entire dancing performance, masks, and the idea of interacting with the outside world must not have been merely correlated to their religious and spiritual ritual. It might have been their identity; a symbolic of their society which their ancestors had built and passed down to them.
A common aspect of African culture is our mediating of deities, ancestors, and spirits, by performing rituals and contacting ancestors or historical ideals. This spiritual combination creates a non-Western idea of movement in art. I enjoy this part of our culture, where we create a less static environment. We become other beings, through our usage of art, dance, and costume with mask and headwear. Our artistic creators are forgotten. Our original artwork are eventually forgotten. The work goes back to the Earth, for the only true matter is how the spirits are manifested in the objects at the current time; eventually even this wears out. At the time of the spiritual manifestation in the objects, they are some of the most powerful aspects in our society.
The possession of dance goes to emphasize the idea that gaining a sense of control through dance comes by being possessed by a deity or spirit that processed to speak or act using the possessed person’s body. Being possessed by a deity relates back to some cultures in foreign countries such as Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean, in which the people recognize a person’s poo...
When music is created, it integrates the cultural and emotional situations that occur in everyday life. People create dances to the transformation of music. For example, a comedian, Judson Laipply has create the “evolution of dance.” This dance incorporates different genres, songs and dances of each generation. He shows dances that people have created overtime to interact with beats of songs. These two videos show perfect examples of how people have created their own way to connect to different music. Both videos demonstrate how music has evolved over time. Judson incorporated songs that have defined past generations and songs that define generation y.
Like many Indian arts, Indian dance also has its root in religion. Without the religious and cultural background of India, the growth and beauty of Indian dance is not possible. In ‘Natya Shastra’, there is a small story about the origin of Indian dance. According to Hindu mythology, dance first existed in heaven. There was always a constant conflict between the Asuras and the Devas for wealth and power. The Devas were tired of the Asuras’ greediness and jealousy.
The world of dance covers an international scope and is not solely limited to the common genres of Classical Ballet and Contemporary/Modern Dance. With globalization, ideas are being exchanged across countries at a fast rate and choreographers are constantly collaborating and sharing ideas with international artistes, resulting in the creation of cross-cultural dance pieces. Today, as the Asian community expands and diversifies, studying Malay Dance and gaining experience in the Asian world are necessary in understanding the global flows of people and culture in today’s Dance world. It is important to be exposed to and well-informed of Malay Dance in order to preserve its rich tradition and heritage, and appreciate the developments it has undergone as a result of Asian and Western influences.