FOLK DANCE (Ρ.Ε.

2)
Folk Dance Definitions:
 The traditional recreational dance of an indigenous society showing the
cultural characteristics of a specific people at a given time place.
 Traditional, social expression and movements with rhythmic
accompaniment which characterize of the community life of the people of
different nationalities.
 The vivid intimate bond of customs, ideals and traditions of the past
through which multitude of national characteristics in music, steps, and
costumes are preserved.
 A dance developed spontaneously and naturally a specific folk, usually
handed down from generation to generation and follow a fixed basic
patterns.
The Philippine folk dances are classified according to:

A. Geographical Locations
1. National Dances - traditional dances throughout Philippines with
accompaniment a basic movement or pattern but with slight variation.
Ex. Carinosa
2. Local or Regional Dances - dances are found in certain localities or
regions only.

B. Nature of the Dance:

1. Occupational Dances - are dances that depict actions, characteristics,
occupations, industries, and phases of human labor.
Ex. Rice festivals - has the largest number of dances
Pabirik - depicts the different stages of gold panning
Mananguete - tube gatherer
2. Religious or Ceremonial Dances - are performed in connection with
religious vows, practices, and ceremonies. A religious dance may be
performed to drive away evil spirits, ask for a favour to have a child, give
thanks for having recovered from sickness, favors granted and vows
fulfilled.
3. Courtship dances- are dances that depict love making or with love theme
4. Wedding Dances- are performed by newlyweds, by friends, and relatives
of the bride and groom or by the father of the bride and the mother of the
groom.
Ex. Pantomina - bride and groom
Pandang-Pandang - Bride and groom and friends or relatives of each
side
Soryano - dance by the parents of the future groom, the visit of the
parents of the bride.
5. Festival Dances - performed in connection with celebrations, a feast, a
barrio fiesta, good harvest and good fortune.
Ex. Kuratsa
6. War dances - are intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the
use of fighting implement like bolo, kris, or spear.
7. Comic dances - are dances with the funny and humorous movements
mainly intended for entertainment.
Ex. Makonggo - movements of the monkey
Kinoton - imitates movements of person like bitten of bites.
8. Game Dances - are dances that have some play elements and are for
recreational purpose.
Ex. Lubi-lubi.
9. Social Dances- are dances dance during social gathering.
Ex. Rigodon
Benefits of Dancing
1. Fitness - it is one of the versatile and satisfying activities one can
participate in as a form of expression, recreation or a form of exercise to
develop fitness.
2. Joy and satisfaction - the physical well-being of a person who
participates is improved.
3. Self-expression - it develops poise and good posture.

BASIC MOVEMENT SKILLS

Basic movement skills are the basis of precise dance skills for folk and
social dancing, gymnastics and natural dancing. Locomotion is moving through
space.
2 Basic types of Movement Skills:
1. Locomotor Movements
2. Non-locomotor Movements
Locomotor movements are those in which the body is moved in one
direction, or a combination of directions, from one point to another.
Locomotor movements of even rhythm include walking, running, jumping,
and leaping.
Locomotor movements of uneven rhythm include galloping, sliding and
skipping
Non-locomotor movements - involve bending, stretching, swaying,
swinging, clapping, shaking, pulling, falling and rising.
Walk - a movements through space done by shifting weight from one foot
to the other without losing contact with the floor.
Run - a movement through space by transferring weight from one foot to
other with a short period of non- support while the body and feet are off
the floor. The tempo is faster than walk
 Hop - a spring on one foot and landing on the ball of the same foot.
Jump - a spring on one foot or both feet and landing on both feet. Push off
the floor with strong foot and spree extension the heel coming first and the
toes. Upon landing the ball of the foot touches the floor first and then the
heel comes down. The knees bend to absorb the shock of landing.
Leap - a transfer of weight from one foot to the other foot by pushing off
with a spring and landing on the ball of the other foot. The leap is similar to
a run except that it is executed with greater height or covers a greater
distance. The heel comes down after landing and the knees bend to absorb
to the shock.
Gallop - step on the one foot allowed by a quick close of the other just at
the back or side of the leading foot. The rhythm is long on the step forward
or sideward direction and short at close. One foot is always leading.
Slide - slide to the right foot, slow beat, close the left for the right foot
shifting the weight quickly onto the left foot. The rhythm is long on the
leading foot and short on the closing foot.

Fundamental Dance Positions, Steps

Feet Position
First Position - Feet close and parallel heels.
Touching toes at 45 degrees
Second Position - Open parallel stride sideward

Third Position - Feet close-crossed

Heel in step touching
Knees locked

Fourth Position - Feet open-crossed

 Fifth Position - Feet close-toes

Arm Position
First Position - Arms encircled infront Chest level,
relaxed, fingers slightly apart

Second Position - Arms raised sideways a little below shoulder level

Third Position - One arm encircle overhead other raised sideways

Fourth Position - One arm encircle on first position, other arm overhead

Fifth Position - Both Arms Overhead