10 Iconic Dances to See Around the World

Austria

What was initially a peasant folk dance in Vienna became the first form of the waltz, and it eventually evolved into a formal high society dance throughout Europe. Due to its close holds and quick spins, waltz was once considered the “Forbidden Dance,” though it is now synonymous with highbrow ballroom dance.

Fot.: Newsweek_redakcja_zrodlo

India

This high-energy dance started as a folk celebration to rejoice in the harvest season in Punjab, India. Following the beat of the dhol, or the Indian drum, dancers are dressed in colorful free-flowing fabrics. Now, the dance has spread all over the world and made its way into fitness classes and TV shows such as America’s Got Talent.

Hawaii

Not just a way to greet tourists, hula dancing was brought to the islands by the Polynesians that settled them and was used to pass down stories and culture before the time of written word. Today, it is used to connect with the islands and share the culture of Hawaii with others.

Fot.: Newsweek_redakcja_zrodlo

Turkey

Watching the mesmerizing whirling dervish ceremonies is an iconic part of Turkish culture. Begun as a form of meditation by the Sufi mystic and poet Rumi in the 13th century, this spinning dance known as sema blurs prayer, dance and trance. The dervishes are followers of Rumi and honor him with this practice.

Fot.: Newsweek_redakcja_zrodlo

Brazil

A mix of martial arts and dance, this Afro-Brazilian combat dance is a blend of strength and grace, and it includes lots of leg sweeps. It’s believed that this athletic acrobatic dance inspired modern breakdancing.

Fot.: Newsweek_redakcja_zrodlo

Spain

With its signature foot stamping and hand clapping, flamenco is synonymous with Spain. Brought to the country by gypsy Romas between the 9th and 14th centuries, flamenco is a passionate, expressive dance that oozes with emotion.

Fot.: Newsweek_redakcja_zrodlo

Louisiana

The second line is one of the most iconic traditions in New Orleans – a parade of brass horns, twirling parasols and fancy footwork. The distinctive dance moves in these often impromptu street celebrations are quick, forward-strutting steps.

Kenya

Known as adumu by the Maasai tribe in Kenya and Tanzania, this jumping dance is a tradition performed by young men at a coming-of-age ceremony. The dance serves as a competition for young men to showcase their strength and even attract the attention of potential brides. It’s said that the one who jumps the highest will be chosen as chief.

Fot.: Newsweek_redakcja_zrodlo

Japan

A classical dance drama that began in Kyoto more than 400 years ago, kabuki incorporates theatrics and mime with spectacular costumes and staging. But the heart of this traditional art form is the dramatic dancing that tells the story through stylized movements.

Fot.: Newsweek_redakcja_zrodlo

Ireland

Made famous by the likes of Michael Flatley, the “Lord of the Dance,” Irish step dancing has a long history, linked both to European social dancing and ancient Celtic and Druid traditions. Step dancing is easily identifiable by the dancers’ stiff arms and upper body, and lightning-fast tapping footwork.

twirling meditation – medytacja suficka (charakteryzująca się obracaniem się wokół własnej osi)

peasant folk dance – chłopski taniec

highbrow ballroom dance – wytworny taniec towarzyski

harvest season – okres żniw

mesmerizing whirling dervish ceremonies – hipnotyzujące uroczystości wirujących derwiszów

blur – łączyć coś / zacierać granice

martial arts – sztuki walki

leg sweeps – wymachiwanie nogami

ooze with emotion – ociekać emocjami

brass horns – instrumenty dęte blaszane

fancy footwork – wyszukane ruchy nogami

impromptu street celebrations – improwizowane świętowanie na ulicach

forward-strutting steps – kroki do przodu

a coming-of-age ceremony – obrzęd przejścia do pełnoletności

incorporate theatrics and mime – wykorzystywać elementy teatru i pantomimy

tapping footwork – stepowanie

Listen to the recording and answer the following questions:

Which dance…

1. … is known for its stylized drama and the elaborate costumes worn by some of its performers?

2. … is known for competitive jumping to win a wife?

3. … involves spinning in repetitive circles as if in a trance?

4. … originated as a harvest celebration?

5. … is generally characterized by a stiff upper body and quick and precise movements of the feet?

6. … is often associated with the Romas living in Spain?

Fot.: Newsweek_redakcja_zrodlo

1. When did gypsies arrive in Andalusia?

2. How did flamenco start?

3. What role did Granada play in 20th-century flamenco?

4. Which Spanish poet promoted flamenco and how?

5. Where was the 1922 flamenco competition held?

6. How did the competition prove to be important?

Describe the issue presented in the article. Use the expressions listed below. They will help you give structure to the text analysis.

key words:

iconic dances

ancient and modern traditions

collocations with positive meaning:

fancy footwork

passionate dance

mesmerizing whirling dervish ceremonies

collocations with negative meaning:

forbidden dance

dramatic dancing

action verb phrases:

connect with another culture

pass down stories

showcase strength

attract attention

Record your text analysis on a voice recorder or practice delivering your presentation in a group setting.

Examples:

Whether you know the language or not, watching…

A traditional dance is a powerful way to…

Some of the most iconic dances include…

Translate the sentences below using the suggested word or phrase. (see Key)

(brought … used) Taniec Hula został sprowadzony na wyspy przez Polinezyjczyków i był wykorzystywany do przekazywania opowieści i kultury przed nastaniem słowa pisanego.

(connect) Dziś służy do nawiązywania kontaktu z wyspami i dzielenia się kulturą Hawajów z innymi.

(mix) Capoeira to mieszanka sztuk walki i tańca.

(believed … athletic) Uważa się, że ten usportowiony, akrobatyczny taniec zainspirował współczesny breakdance.

(synonymous) Ze swoim charakterystycznym tupaniem i klaskaniem flamenco jest synonimem Hiszpanii.

You can use your translations in your presentation of the topic (in Task 6).

Continue the translation using the suggested word or phrase. Remember: It’s not about translating these sentences perfectly – there are a number of possible ways to translate each sentence. This task aims to teach you TO THINK IN ENGLISH. By working on your translation of a sentence, you can change it to get closer to the sense of the original (see Key).

Flamenco to namiętny, ekspresyjny taniec, który oozes with emocjami.

What początkowo było chłopskim tańcem w Wiedniu, stało się the first form of walca i ostatecznie przekształciło się w a formal high society dance w całej Europie.

Oglądanie hipnotyzujących uroczystości wirujących derwiszów jest an iconic part of tureckiej kultury.

Bhangra to bardzo energiczny taniec that started as ludowe celebration to rejoice w okresie żniw w Pendżabie w Indiach.

Kabuki wykorzystuje elementy teatru i pantomimy with spectacular kostiumami i inscenizacją.

You can use your translations in your presentation of the topic (in Task 6).

Now it’s time to put forward your views on the issues. Record your speech on a voice recorder or practice presenting your opinion in a group setting. Consider the issues raised in the text from these viewpoints:

Entertainment: Dancing

Watching or participating in a traditional dance is…

One has a chance to…

Artistic: Iconic dances

There are dances that…

For instance, kabuki incorporates theatrics and mime…

Cultural: Ancient and modern traditions

Flamenco, which is synonymous with Spain,…

Bhangra started as a folk celebration to rejoice in…

Zgłoś naruszenie/Błąd