MYSTICAL ROSE COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Pogonlomboy, Mangatarem, Pangasinan

Mobile No.: 0920-964-4762
 

Name of Student:
Year Level: Program & Section:

Physical Education and Health 12

Module 4- Week 7-8
DANCE

BRIEF HISTORY OF DANCE

Dance is an expression in rhythmic movement of an intensified sense of life, arising from an inner
perception that stimulates both mind and body . When dance as simple emotional expression develops into a
design – a planned organization of a pattern of movement in rhythm, in space and on the ground, with its set
of steps, gestures and dynamics – it becomes a specific dance. When this specific dance becomes a group of
dances, stylized in a common design, it becomes a dance form. Dance forms, which may take centuries to
develop, reflect the customs of the society in which they evolved.
Depictions in prehistoric cave paintings in Europe suggest that some form of dance already existed
during the Paleolithic Period. In the long, ensuing interrelation between dance and society, the dance has
served many purposes: expressions of superstition, prayer, ritual, ceremony, social pleasure, entertainment,
and art. Dance as participation, where the emphasis is on social expression in dance form, is termed
commercial dance; dance as spectacle, where the emphasis is on professional expression of a dance formed is
termed theater dance.

CLASSIFICATION OF DANCE
 Communal Dance – In primitive early tribal cultures dance was a methodology for survival.
Confronted by an environment that could be rationally controlled nor evaded, members of these
tribes sought to transcend the consciousness of self by achieving an ecstatic state, in which they
would arrive at a mastery over evil spirits through their dance.
 Primitive Dance – The search for magical mastery over nature through loss of self is the distinctive
characteristics of primitive dance. The ecstatic state was reached by the repetition of monotonous
movement in powerful rhythm – the rhythmic beat to every movement, usually accompanied by
drums; the hand stamping of the feet upon the ground with bent knees; and the continuous,
prolonged repetition of the basic movements.
 Ritual Dance – The distinction between primitive dance and ritual dance is that the latter is
conscious dance, organized volitionally in its design, purpose, and meaning. Ritual dance represents a
much later societal development, a level of civilization where dance celebrated mythology rather
than magic, like in the rites of Dionysus in Greece.
 Folk Dance – Folk dance developed from the racial or regional memories of older motifs in
communal dance and reflected social and recreational expression. Thus the chain dance, the
professional, the whirling dance, and the circling dance all became characteristic of European folk
dance. Folk dance is basically repetitious and limited in scope.
 Social Dance – Coupled dance emerged in the 15 century Europe in a variety of vigorous
th

adaptations and refinements of folk dance developed by the dancing masters of the time. These new
dances are gay and lively in character and were developed first as a social diversion among the
 aristocracy of France and Italy. Later in it expanded to become, in the later centuries, part of the
social life of the emerging middle class as well.

Learning
Activities

WRITTEN WORK
I. RESEARCH PAPER
Instructions: Research on different examples of dances by reading books or browsing on the internet. Cite
one (1) example of dance for each classification of dance discussed above. Do it on a long bond paper
(8.5”x13”). It should be handwritten.

PERFORMANCE TASK – Festival Dance

Instructions: your class shall be divided into groups and will perform virtually any Philippine festival dance of
their choice. In compliance with the health and safety protocols set by the national and local government,
each member of the group shall take a video of their performance at their home. Each group may use an
editing software or application to put multiple videos in one screen. A soft copy saved on a flash drive shall be
submitted to the instructor. The list of members for each group and the deadline of submission shall be sent
on the group chat.

REFERENCE: Bacara, L.R., & Avillanoza, A.T. (2006). Humanities and Digital Arts, 1 ed. Rex Book Store, Inc.:
st

Quezon City.