History of the Irish Jig

With the recent success of dance troupes such as Celtic Fire and Riverdance, the world has fallen in love with traditional Irish music and dance steps. While many of the modern troupes perform elaborate stage shows, Irish dance can trace its roots back to social dances such as the Jig. While the Irish did not invent the Jig, they have become synonymous with the dance and its highly energetic presentation.

History

The Jig is a compound meter dance, in either 6/8 or 9/8, that became a part of Irish popular culture in the seventeenth century. The Jig is second only to the Reel in popularity with Irish dancers.

Geography

The Jig was originally started in England in the sixteenth century before it spread to other parts of Great Britain, including Ireland and Scotland.

Name Origin

The term "Jig" comes from the French word "Gigue" and the Italian word "Giga," both of which mean "to jump."

Types

There are four different types of Irish Jigs: the Slip (9/8), Light (6/8), Single (6/8) and the Treble Jig (6/8).

Popularity

The original English Jig was performed in 2/4 time, but only gained international popularity once the dance was moved to a 6/8 and/or 9/8 feel by the Irish.

Fun Fact

Irish Jigs were often danced in a competitive manner, where the winning dancer was the one who could dance the liveliest Jig for the longest amount of time.