DANCE FROM THE PAST

What is Dance?
Dance comes from the German word damson, which means “to stretch or “to drag”. It
developed as a natural expression of united feeling and action. Dance is considered the mirror
of the society because it responds to historical and religious events as well as social

• Although there have been immense comparative differences in period and culture, people still
dance mainly for four reasons: (a) to please gods; (b) to please others; (c) to please
themselves. and (d) to build community within an ethnic group or social interaction.

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF DANCE FROM THE DIFFERENT PERIODS

( DANCE DURING THE ANCIENT CIVILIZATION )

Ancient Egypt - 3,300 BCE (First Dancing). It is believed that the first people to dance were the
Egyptians. Archaeologists discovered paintings of dancing figures in rock shelters and caves.

As a way of expressing religious service and teaching ancient myth, three (3) major dancers
were evolved:
1. the king
2. the priests who performed magical dances
3. virgin dancers who were trained to perform during ceremonies led by the priests.
Ancient Crete - The Cretan civilization (3000-1400 BC) was a cultural link in the ancient world
between Egyptians and Greeks.
• Cretans used dance to perfect their military training which made excellent.
Ancient Greece - Dance was not just for religious and military training but also a form of
entertainment and display.

• Plato immensely gave importance to dance in education as stated in the education on the
Laws. He highlighted the two kinds of dance and music the noble (fin and honorable) and the
ignoble (imitating what is mean or ugly).

Ancient Rome - Gave less importance to dancing which eventually became an integral part of
the corruption in the latter days of the Roman Empire resulting in the condemnation of dance by
early Christians.

• Dance was primarily performed for religious, social and entertainment. However, theatrical
entertainment was prohibited but still existed and was performed within church during religious
ceremonies.
( DANCE DURING THE MIDDLE AGES AND THE RENAISSANCE )

1400 (Ballet Comes into Play). Ballet started in this year in Italy but didn’t really become popular
until around the year 1500. Ballet gained its popularity when a lady of the arts, Catherine de
Medici, married King Henry 11 and threw festivals where they would perform ballet dances.
Ballet is believed to be the main core of every single dance style.

A vast dance movement occurred throughout the courts of Europe in the 15th and 16th
centuries. During these times, new court dances performed by the nobility came about as well
as the rise of the art of ballet in Italy and France.
• Several other dance forms continued to sprout and spread across several countries.

DANCING DURING THE LATE 16TH AND 17TH CENTURIES ( 1501 - 1700 )

• 1600 (Masque Dancing). Masque dancing started from elaborate pageants and shows in the
16th century. Masque dancing involved intricate costuming and stage designing that also
incorporated singing and acting as well as dancing. It was often used as a court entertainment.

• A period in the history of dance in Italy, France, and England which was pleasantly deep and
rich. France became the forerunner in dance during this period.

• Dance increased as a court amusement and later transformed into professional entertainment.

DANCE DURING THE 18TH CENTURY (1701-1800)

• 1795 (Classical Persian Dancing). This style of dance evolved from courtroom dancing. An
era influencing Persian dance was the Qajar Dynasty which lasted from 1795 to 1925. Dancers
would perform artistic and lively dances for the Shah (King). The music is usually played by a
small band.

• 1800 (Tippity Tappity, Time for Tap). Tap dancing originated from African tribe dancing. Tap
dancing makes percussion sounds because of dancers most commonly wearing leather shoes
with two pieces of metal and clip and clap against hard floors. Tap is still very popular to this
day.
DANCE DURING 19TH CENTURY (1801-1900)

• 1890 (Merengue Dancing). It is a Caribbean dance style that involves partners holding each
other in a tango-like position and moving their hips side to side.

• 1900 (Jazz and Acro). It involves doing smooth and flexible movements, and lots of back
bending and tricks. Both styles are widely popular to this day.

• Ballroom dances also emerged during this period like Cotillion, Polonaise, Quadrille, Waltz
and Polka.

20TH CENTURY DANCES (1901-2000)

• Described as a period of “dance fever” wherein the young and old alike were not limited to
express emotions through dance.
• 1950 (Contemporary Dance). Contemporary dance is a style that combines jazz, ballet, and
modern dance. It can be many different styles, but most of the time it is melancholy and or
intense.

• 1970 (Hip Hop Dance). There are many styles of hip hop that include breaking, popping,
locking, and more. Street dance was performed both in night clubs and on the streets. It is
associated with funk, breakdancing, and hip-hop.

• Several social dance movements also evolved such as castle walk, tango, foxtrot, Charleston,
Lindy Hop, Rumba, Mambo, Cha-Cha-Cha, Samba, Bossa Nova, Boogaloo and Twist.

• Popular fad dances also emerged like YMCA and Macarena

21ST CENTURY DANCE (2001-PRESENT)

• 2018-2023 (Dance Nowadays). Today's dance style has taken a turn towards more hip-hop
dances. Small and popular dances that involve hip hop and that most everyone can achieve
include the whip and nae nae, Gangnam Style (it’s a little old), shooting, TikTok trends and
more.