Name: John Reyster S.

Tabon Grade & Section: 12 - Lepton

Teacher: Sheba Dana Hernandez Date: September 25, 2023

Reflective Essay on Idaw and Contemporary dance

The "Idaw" or bontoc dance does not appear to be a well-known or widely recognized dance form
with a specific origin; it is usually danced by tribes from corderillas. The Igorots from the Bontoc region
view the idaw as an allegory for war. This Bontoc dance depicts a war ceremony performed by warriors
of rival tribes. The tribesmen would go out and look up and watch out for the scared Idaw bird, which is
said to lead the tribe to victory. The meaning of “idaw”, means “bird” and is named after a pugnacious
and strong bird, which is celebrated as the omen bearer of war and is passed down generations to
generations of this culture, which has rich historical and cultural significance to the peoples of corderillas
which shows diversity and uniqueness. Lucrecia Reyes Urtula was also one of the notable choreographers
of this dance.

Contemporary dance is a style of expressive dance that combines elements of several dance genres,
including modern, jazz, lyrical, and classical ballet, which also has rich historical and cultural
significance as a form of artistic expression that has broken from tradition, embraced diversity, and
addressed important social and political issues. It has played a vital role in shaping the cultural landscape
of the 20th and 21st centuries, and its influence continues to grow. In addition to this, some notable
choreographers of contemporary dance are Martha Graham, Kyle Graham, and Merce Cunningham.

The key movements of idaw dance are very related to the actions that we see in war from the past
of tribes. The way the warriors stomp their foot in their combat stance and how they both consecutively
use the shield and spear as to depict the old traditional war style and sound of the dances. In contrast to
contemporary dance, their key movements are somewhat unlimited, allowing them to express their
emotions through dances and allowing for a wide range of movements and techniques, but they similarly
use legwork or footwork in dancing, like the idaw dance.

Moreover, these two dances have changed over the years, in idaw dance it doesn’t have changed
much but it has sometimes many names and different versions. While contemporary dance has evolved in
response to the changing societal landscape, reflecting shifting cultural norms, values, and challenges. It
has been a vehicle for self-expression, activism, and the exploration of new forms of movement, making
it a dynamic and relevant art form that continues to adapt to the times.

Lastly, I'm astonished by the similarities and differences between these two quite distinct historical
dances. The idaw dance is rich in historical culture, which can be considered cultural heritage for the
ethnic peoples to more likely grow their culture. Furthermore, contemporary dance, which sprouted in the
21st century, has many genres, is dynamic and continuous as time flies, and will develop more beautifully
as it impacts society by influencing the way people think, feel, and connect with each other and the world
around them.