Dance is described as the art or science of making steps and making body movements to a proscribed tune. The success of acquiring the skills of dance depends on one's knowledge and effort of getting used to the principles of the dance. The Chinese have the unique dragon dance that is performed in annual festivals. The dance is significant for its traditional value. The dance is used alongside the lion dance in festive celebrations. The dragon dance signifies the descendants of the great Chinese King who was the first to rule. He also taught the Chinese people agriculture basics of civilization, law and medicine. Societies around the world also have dances that signify special events in their lives.
The American dance culture is popular for the attributes that are associated with it. Americans dance for various reasons including celebrations in festivals, and in times of merry making. It is clear when the American people, but the essential thing is entertainment has been in existence for the longest time. The Native Americans had spiritual attachments and the significance of their dances. They often performed their dances alongside their ritual practices as a prayer offering.
There was a belief that dance glorified their God and it had to be done in a holy manner. There are instances where the native doctors would perform a dance as a way petitioning spirits to provide healing. The rest of the community would join in the dance to petition God to cleanse the nation (Huhndorf, 2001). Dance was also essential in personal expression especially when there was a narration of societal myths. The Cokota Upo performed in the Lakota dances and songs is essential in portraying the culture of the Lakota people (Huhndorf, 2001). The event was championed by elders and chiefs in a theatrical manner.
Dance culture in America and Europe has always been related to a group or individual identity. Dance became a forum intended for social interaction and meaningful activity. American dance forums were useful for several social activities including giving men the opportunity to find their spouses. Families also had the chance to share their new trends in dance and musical styles. Dance was essential for politicians and business people for displaying the amount of wealth at their disposal. They this achieved by their ability to attend the dances with the most trendiest and fashionable dances.
Early Americans were confined to their proscribed forms of communication and their culture. This is because communication was valuable and violating the rules would amount to consequences. There was limited technology in early times that translated to limited information sharing. People did not contact one another as often these days as they had to wait for social gatherings. Dance provided the platform for people to communicate freely through the use of nonverbal gestures that were culturally acceptable.
Movements and body expressions were used to define social values and individual ranks. The best dance techniques were associated to the most elite in the society. Those who wanted the acceptance of the elite learned the most sophisticated moves that others only admired. Non verbal communication was essential on the dance arena, and everyone knew what to do to communicate effectively (Bark, 2007). One was required to tip a hat or twirl a parasol in order to show interest in another person.
Communicating with words was unnecessary because the use of gestures was paramount in the arena. The roles men and women were clear in the arena. Women were not required to make advances to their male counterparts as it was inappropriate. A woman would respond in a certain way to decline or accept the advance. A man would accept a woman’s decision and move on in case he was rejected.
Both American and European cultures were similar in their practices. Several ceremonial dance styles have their origins from respective European countries. The ceremonial minuet and the Stately came from France while the freewheeling came from England. The introduction of ballet into the American and European dances based on emotions and fantasy. This was referred to as the romantic era where romance and the fantasy world was the main inspiration.
The dancer also referred to as the ballerina would skim the surface of the stage. Her technique seemed as though she did not touch the surface of the floor. The phenomenon was magical as the dance was dramatized in a theatrical manner (Bark, 2007). Many of the dance styles in the romantic age had fully evolved and were significant in different aspects of society. Different aspects of culture including costuming, plot and choreographic forms also evolved. Romance and social strata were a major factor in the European American culture. Emphasis was on maintaining the culture by use of dance as a platform. The dance continues to evolve as the strong beliefs, and strong classical techniques are neglected and blurred by the new generation.
Different groups have played a significant role in preserving the culture of dance from different world platforms. The quadrille club is one group that continues to put emphasis on the preservation of culture. The group is responsible for organizing dance events with guests from different cultures in a multicultural colorful event. The dance moves are well choreographed and synchronized to the theme music and prevailing culture. This initiative is essential in the preservation of dance and cultural values.
References
Bark, D. L. (2007). Americans and Europeans dancing in the dark: On our differences and affinities, our interests, and our habits of life. Stanford, Calif: Hoover Institution Press.
Huhndorf, S. M. (2001). Going native: Indians in the American cultural imagination. Ithaca [u.a.: Cornell Univ. Press.
