Every ethnic group has its own
dancing style, and sometimes more than one. For some, the dance has a
ritualistic religious meaning, but more often, it is an expression of
folklore – a form of art that evolved from the lives of ordinary people
in villages and tribes, and strengthened their sense of community.
The traditional dance goes
hand-in-hand with traditional music, leaving us with a world rich and
diverse with dance styles. These are just 15 of the many styles of
traditional dances from around the world.
 Click Here to Watch |
Colombia
The fast pace of the drums, trumpet,
and song accompanies the Colombian dancers in a style that is
characterized by a lot of spinning, and brightly colored dresses for the
women.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Thailand
The Thai dancers look like
magnificent statues, and their traditional dance includes slow, delicate
movements, mostly of their palms and feet, with their fingers
gracefully bent back.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Japan
Japanese culture is very reserved,
and that is very evident in the traditional Geisha dance. With a sealed
face, noble stance, and gentle hand movements all express an aspiration
for esthetics and harmony.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Yemen
Yemen’s traditional wedding dance is
a communal ritual. It is based on the fast beat of metal drums, to
which men jump and swirl in circles.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Russia
Russian folk dancing is
characterized by many jumps, bounds, and spinning, with periodic slowing
of the rhythm, only to quicken again moments later. It is a joyful
dance, which evolved as an antithesis to the hard life of Russian
farmers.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Mexico
The traditional Mexican dancing steps, combined with the magnificent traditional dresses create a magnificent display of the dresses themselves, which seem to dance all on their own.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
The Netherlands
Dutch “folk dancing” are usually
performed in circles of couples. There are no “crazy” dance moves here,
but instead – little jumps to a pleasant and slow melody.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Native Americans
A collection of several Native
American dance styles preserved to this day by the descendants of these
magnificent people. Native Americans would dance to prepare for war, to
thank the gods, or to mark special events. The intensive dancing served
as a way to reach a trans and communicate with their deities.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Czech Republic
One of the main traditional Czech
dances is the joyful couple’s dance, accompanied by folk violin music,
with a touch of gypsy style. Throughout the Czech Republic, there are
many variations of this dance.
|
May also interest you: |
|
 Click Here to Watch |
India
The movements of the dancer will
remind you of the statues that decorate the Hindu temples. The
expressive hand gestures, the measured movements of the head, combined
with the unique standing pose, all make the Indian traditional dance
into an act of grace and beauty.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Bulgaria
Bulgarian folk dancing is a happy
jig, which expresses village comradery. The fast beat and synchronized
movements of the dancers are a sight to behold.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
France
The centuries-old French folk dance,
combined with the traditional garb is not something one might expect
when thinking of France. Never the less, it’s quite a beautiful dance.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Ireland
This couple makes the Irish River
Dance seem like it’s as easy as a summer’s breeze, but it requires a lot
of practice in order to keep up with the beat. Doesn’t it make you want
to get up and dance too?
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Botswana
The Tribal Botswana dancing is a
“classic” African dance: fast beat, constant stomping of the feet and
singing that almost drives the dancers into a frenzy. It is primal and
magnificent.
|
 Click Here to Watch |
Georgia
The Georgian dance is not only
characterized by the traditional clothes and white, furry hats, but also
in the sheer skill it demands of each dancer. The fast pace means that
each performer must be in excellent shape to be able to keep up.
|
