PHYSICAL HEALTH 12

Topic: Traditional Dances

Dance is one of the most beautiful forms of art. Dance is no longer just a hobby but it is also one of the
most lucrative professions as well. Besides, dance therapy is very much popular in these days simply
because the experience of dancing helps a person to heal from within. Dance is a form of expression that
helps a person bring forth who they are, and what they’re passionate about.
The different types of dances and dance styles that are prevalent all over the world, are an indication of
the popularity of this art form. From the olden days till date, dance has always been performed for social
reasons or even if just something to aesthetically display.
Every dance form has its own unique identity. Each dance is beautiful in its own way and has a different
appeal to it. Every country has a distinctive approach about its dance style, with ethnicities worldwide
merging dance forms, and even creating new ones, transforming the very idea of dance.

Traditional Dances
Traditional dances are dances of indigenous communities that show cultural traits of peoples from a
specific time and place. Customs and traditions are preserved in traditional dance. Handed down from
generation to generation, with foxed sets or patterns, these dances can either be ethnic or folk.
According to some literature, ethnic dances in the Philippines are classified into two (2) categories.

 Tribal Dances from Cordilleras

 Lowland Christian Dances

Tribal Dances from Cordilleras (NON CHRISTIANS)

Referring to the Pre- Hispanic and Muslim dances.

Examples :
 Pangalay
 Asik
 Sagayan
 Singkil
 Fan Dance
 Lowland Christian Dances (CHRISTIANS DANCES)
Performed mostly by the lowland Filipinos, dances under this category have strong influence from the
Western culture, particularly from Spain.

CLASSIFICATION OF PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

 LIFE-CYCLE DANCES - Dances that serve as ritual as one passes to a different stage in life such
as from birth to childhood; from singlehood to marriage and from life to death.

Examples are:
 Courtship dances
 Wedding dances
 Funeral dances

We Co
ddi urt
ng shi
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 FESTIVAL DANCES -

Dances that are either religious or secular and are connected with the celebration of recurring events
of special significance.
Examples:
 Sinulog of Cebu
 Dinagyang of Iloilo
 Ati-atihan of Kalibo
 Aklan, Buyogan
 Masskara of Bacolod City, etc.

 OCCUPATIONAL DANCES - Dances that depict the means of livelihood of the Filipino people.
Palay festival, a national dance in rice growing regions, is an example of an occupational dance
wherein dancers portray different steps in rice growing from planting to harvesting to threshing,
flailing, pounding, airing and winnowin.

 TRIBAL DANCES & CEREMONIAL DANCES - Dances performed as part of the rituals and
ceremonies of a certain tribe or group of people.
Examples:
 Lumagen
 Turayen
 Salidsid

 WAR DANCE - Dances that express enmity wherein two male dancers engage in Physical
combat with Spartan. Maglalatik is an example of a war dance as this depicts a battle
between Muslims of Southern Philippines and the Christian Filipinos of the lowlands over
latik.