Folk Dance

The traditional dances of a culture or, "folk" dances, exist wherever cultures exist. Movement, music and dress all feature prominently in folk dance. The costumes vary widely from culture to culture,…

Folk dances can be defined as a dance performed by a particular culture as part of its history. For example, the polka can be considered a folk dance for Polish culture. Folk dances are meant to be…

The film "Red River Valley" was popular in China because its story was seen as patriotic. The dance adaptation has been a wide success since its debut performance in Beijing.

La Raspa is a folk dance from eastern Mexico. This dance is often incorrectly called the Mexican Hat Dance or Jarabe Tapatio. According to Mark Pedelty. author of "Musical Ritual in Mexico City,"…

The rich culture of the Balkans has given birth to a number of art forms that have lasted the centuries, including the Seljancica folk dances. The dances have been performed at local festivals,…

Germany consists of different regions which each have their unique characteristics and their own varieties of dance. However, most German folk dances can be performed to the beat of either a landler,…

The Bele dance incorporates traditional music and movements stretching back to traditional slaves brought from Africa to the Caribbean. The dance, characterized by flowing motions, colorful costumes…

The arts have always been a source of national pride for the Irish, and dance is one of their chief examples of tradition and artistry. Irish folk dances generally fall into three categories: ceili…

The Pata Pata dance was invented by South African musician and activist Miriam Makeba in 1957, as part of her song of the same name. It debuted in the United States in 1967 and quickly became an…

Some scholars believe that Lithuanians inhabited the Baltic area--countries lining the Baltic Sea--as early as 2500 BC. Other historians believe Lithuanians migrated to the Baltic area beginning…

In 1991, Governor L. Douglas Wilder signed into law a bill stating that square dancing would be the official folk dance of the Commonwealth of Virgina. There is a long history of square dancing in…

The tarantella is a lively dance form that originated in Italy. There are many folk dances in Italy but the tarantella is iconic, instantly recognizable as an image of Italian culture. In addition to…

Philippine folk dances are as varied as the people who inhabit the region. The dances of the Philippines developed in the fields and towns as a means for people to express themselves in celebrations…

"Pata Pata" is a rhythmic dance that originated in South Africa and was introduced to the United States in the late 1960s. This simple dance is especially popular with younger children.

In the summer, the Boston, Massachusetts area comes alive with events that celebrate the city's history and culture. Many of these events are free and open to the public. Residents and visitors may…

Mexico has 31 states in its federation and each stakes a claim to its own version of a traditional folk dance. The dances vary in style, dress, and meaning, but all remain a vitally important art…

Folk dance originated in medieval times, when villagers gathered together to celebrate or partake in sacred rituals, performing group dances. These traditional dances are still performed today and…

"Itik" means "duck" in the Philippines. The Itik Folk Dance of the Philippines mimics the flying and waddling of a duck. According to Camperspoint, the dance originated in the province of Surigao del…

Although the term baile folklorico literally translates to folk dancing, it has a broader meaning than the English term. Baile folklorico refers to the traditional dances of Latin America,…

Swedish folk dancing is often used to celebrate the midsummer night, and it is often danced in couples. See an example of Swedish folk dance with information from a professional dance instructor in…