Different Dance Styles and How They Reflect Culture

Dance is a form of expression nearly all cultures use to share different messages; the careful footwork tells a story with deep roots in various groups. Cultures stretching from Uganda to France to the UK have all used dance to keep their traditions alive! Dance affects culture, and by learning about different dance styles and how they reflect culture, we can better understand those around us.

Amagunju in Uganda

Within the African country of Uganda, dance is a way of life! Various instruments and costumes reflect the message—whether it be creation, love, or blessings. Often dances are energetic and beloved within the culture as they pass the moves down through generations.

Within Central Uganda, dancers perform the Amagunju to entertain the king. According to the origin story, aunts and uncles of a young king created it to keep him smiling to prevent a curse that would occur if he cried; this is a traditional folk dance of the Baganda people. During this dance, fast and lively footwork follows the beat of a drum.

Stepdance in Ireland

Stepdance has a complicated history within the Irish culture because the people passed the stories and traditions down orally rather than through writing; however, the first written record dates back to 1776. Dances such as the Irish Jig were performed centuries ago by the druids and Celts, giving them deep roots in the Irish culture.

Traditional Irish step dancing is similar to the Irish jig and performed alongside hornpipes; moreover, boys and girls wear different types of shoes to allow for strategic footwork and create deliberate tapping sounds during the dance. In the 17th century, some dancers would travel across the country, performing early forms of this dance at various venues, and it stuck around because of its lively movements.

Ballet in Italy and France

Originating in Italy, this beautiful and theatrical dance began during the Italian Renaissance period but wasn’t formalized until the 15th century. By the 15th and 16th centuries, ballet’s influence made its way to France when Catherine de Medici, an Italian noblewoman, married Henry II, the ruler of France.

During early performances, dancers typically performed outlandish roles to entertain aristocrats. The dances were meant to entertain and sometimes tell a story; moreover, dancers wore intricate, sometimes heavy costumes or small shoes that made movements complicated.

As time went on, the dance developed and spread to other cultures, allowing various ethnic groups to share their stories with the world; by learning these dances and their histories, we can understand different dance styles and how they reflect culture, thus shaping our view.

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Casey Cartwright

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