Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

152

SQUARE

DANCING

Square dancing

is very sociable.

Four couples form a

square and change

partners in a sequence

of moves. A caller shouts

out instructions such as

“Swing your partner to

the right.” This traditional

North American dance

has many variations.

WHEN PEOPLE HEAR MUSIC, they often tap their feet and clap their

hands. Dancing is a natural activity, and there are many different styles,

ranging from the hectic breakdance to the graceful, elegant waltz. However,

all forms of dance share the same rhythmic movements that people have

enjoyed since time began. Prehistoric cave paintings show people moving

in a lively way. They kept time by clapping and stamping.

Later, dancers began to move in patterns with more formal

steps, and dancing in couples or in groups at balls

or dances became a part of social life.

In many countries special costumes

are part of folk-dancing traditions.

MODERN DANCE

Most traditional dances have a

prearranged series of steps and

movements, but modern dance forms

encourage dancers to move more freely.

Contemporary dance emerged at the

beginning of the 20th century. US dancer

Isadora Duncan was one of the first

performers to move away from orthodox

ballet and develop her own style. Jazz

dance emerged in the 1920s and has

been central to modern dance.

Dance

RITUAL DANCE

In religious rituals, dance is a way

of thanking the gods or asking for

their help. These Native Americans

are performing a fertility dance.

It is important that the steps

are always danced in the

same order.

This modern jazz dancer
combines the grace and
elegance of traditional ballet
with soft, fluid poses that
more closely express
personal feelings. The
swirling movements of
her dress complement
and enhance her
performance.

Love—

putting

on a ring

MIME

Mime mixes dance

and acting to create

a language without

words that can be

understood by people

from many cultures.

The dancer shown here

is from India, but mime

is also part of other

Eastern and Western

dance styles.

Marriage—

tying the

love knot

around the

bride’s neck

DANCE AND WORSHIP

In India, almost all performing arts are

linked to religion. Bharatanatyam is a classical

dance style from Tamil Nadu, southern India.

It is linked to ancient temple dances.

Performers paint their hands and feet

with red dye. In

ancient times,

the dancers

came from

special families and

were known as devadasis.

Modern dancers

often devise their

own steps and

perform barefoot.

There are six styles of Indian

classical dance. These styles

usually involve miming out

stories from ancient mythology.

ROCK ‘N’ ROLL

The emergence of

rock ‘n’ roll music in

the 1950s led to the

first mass form of

modern dance.

The music had a

strong beat and

lyrics that young

people could relate

to. Rock ‘n’ roll

steps were wild and

daring, and were

very different to

conservative social

dancing.

India and subcontinent

Movies

Theater

Find out more

Square dancers

often dress up

in cowboy or

cowgirl style.