reel
[noun]
a fast-paced traditional dance with quick footwork, usually in pairs or groups, common in Irish, Scottish, and Appalachian culture
Ex:
Performing Arts - Folk and Ceremonial Dance
Here you will learn some English words related to folk and ceremonial dance such as "polka", "rhumba", and "sword dance".
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jig
[noun]
a fast traditional dance with bouncy steps, especially from Irish and Scottish folk culture.
Ex:
The
jig
is
danced
solo
or
in
groups
.
Cham dance
[noun]
a traditional masked dance performed in Tibet and Bhutan, often associated with Buddhist religious ceremonies
hornpipe
[noun]
a traditional solo dance with stiff upper body and lively footwork, often associated with sailors and British folk culture
Ex:
The
hornpipe
is
often
danced
in
sailor
costume
.
highland fling
[noun]
a traditional Scottish solo dance with fast footwork and raised arms, often performed in kilts
Ex:
She
performed
the
Highland fling
with
perfect
balance
.
gavotte
[noun]
a formal French dance in moderate duple time, popular in the 17th–18th centuries, with graceful, skipping steps
Ex:
The
gavotte
begins
with
a
lifted
step
on
the
upbeat
.
morris dance
[noun]
a traditional English folk dance characterized by rhythmic stepping, intricate formations, and the use of bells, handkerchiefs, sticks, or swords as props
Ex:
They
wore
bells
on
their
legs
during
the
morris dance
.
tarantella
[noun]
a fast, lively Italian folk dance with quick steps and spinning movements
Ex:
They
learned
the
tarantella
in
their
dance
class
.
Schuhplattler
[noun]
a traditional Bavarian and Austrian dance involving stomping, clapping, and slapping of the shoes and thighs
Hopak
[noun]
a Ukrainian folk dance known for its energetic and acrobatic movements, typically performed by male dancers
Irish stepdance
[noun]
a traditional dance style from Ireland characterized by fast footwork, precise movements, and rhythmic patterns, often performed in solo or group settings
Horon
[noun]
a traditional folk dance from the Black Sea region of Turkey known for its energetic and fast-paced movements
dirk dance
[noun]
a traditional Scottish dance performed with a dirk, which is a type of Scottish dagger
ritual dance
[noun]
a form of dance performed as part of a ceremonial or religious ritual, often with symbolic gestures and movements that hold cultural or spiritual significance
Ex:
The
monks
performed
a
solemn
ritual dance
as
part
of
the
temple
ceremony
,
honoring
the
teachings
of
their
faith
and
seeking
enlightenment
.
prophetic dance
[noun]
a form of expressive movement often associated with religious or spiritual practices, where dancers interpret and express messages or prophecies through their movements
liturgical dance
[noun]
a form of dance performed as part of a religious or worship ceremony with specific liturgical elements and symbolism
haka
[noun]
a traditional Maori dance characterized by vigorous movements, chanting, and facial expressions, often performed as a ceremonial challenge or war dance
kagura
[noun]
a Japanese ritual dance performed as an offering to the gods, often involving music, chanting, and elaborate costumes
war dance
[noun]
a ceremonial dance performed by warriors before battle, often to intimidate opponents or to prepare mentally for combat
Ex:
The
ancient
Greeks
believed
that
performing
a
war dance
before
a
battle
would
instill
valor
and
unity
among
the
troops
.
egg dance
[noun]
a traditional dance where dancers perform intricate footwork while balancing eggs on spoons or other objects
country-dance
[noun]
a lively and communal style of dance, typically performed by couples in groups, featuring energetic movements and often accompanied by folk music
Ex:
In
the
old
days
,
country-dances
were
a
highlight
of
rural
social life
,
bringing
neighbors
together
for
an
evening
of
merriment
and
camaraderie
.
Red River jig
[noun]
a type of Canadian Métis dance characterized by lively fiddle music and intricate footwork
rhumba
[noun]
a slow, sensual Latin dance with Afro-Cuban roots, featuring hip movements and a 4/4 rhythm
Ex:
furlana
[noun]
a traditional Italian folk dance originating from the Friuli region, often performed in a circle with lively music and intricate footwork
Dashing White Sergeant
[noun]
a Scottish country dance performed in sets of six dancers with various formations and lively steps to traditional Scottish music
Ecossaise
[noun]
a lively and fast-paced Scottish country dance characterized by quick steps, formations, and movements typically performed to traditional Scottish music
ghost dance
[noun]
a ceremonial dance performed by certain Native American tribes, believed to summon the spirits of the dead
Ex:
The
Paiute
prophet
Wovoka
spread
the
message
of
the
ghost dance
as
a
means
of
fostering
unity
and
hope
among
Native American
tribes
.
gopak
[noun]
a traditional Ukrainian dance characterized by its lively and energetic movements, typically performed by male dancers with acrobatic leaps and kicks
hoedown
[noun]
a lively and energetic dance, often associated with country or folk music, typically characterized by stomping, clapping, and lively movements, often performed in a group or line formation
hula
[noun]
a traditional Hawaiian dance telling stories through graceful hand and hip movements
Ex:
She
learned
the
hula
to
connect
with
her
heritage
.
jitterbug
[noun]
a lively swing dance from the 1930s–40s, featuring fast, energetic movements and spins
Ex:
She
learned
the
jitterbug
from
her
grandparents
.
kazachok
[noun]
a traditional fast-paced Ukrainian folk dance featuring squatting kicks and energetic movements
the Lancers
[noun]
a traditional group dance, typically performed in sets, featuring specific figures and sequences, often associated with ballroom dancing
Ex:
Couples
twirled
and
promenaded
through
the
figures
of
the
Lancers
,
reveling
in
the
camaraderie
and
joy
of
the
communal
dance
.
landler
[noun]
a traditional Austrian and southern German folk dance in 3/4 time, often featuring stomping and turning
Ex:
He
taught
his
students
the
basic
steps
of
the
landler
.
polonaise
[noun]
a piece of music for a slow Polish dance in moderate ³/₄ time that was popular in the 19th century
pyrrhic
[noun]
an ancient Greek war dance involving leaping movements, often performed with weapons
Ex:
rumba
[noun]
a slow, sensual Latin dance with hip movements, originating in Cuba
Ex:
She
practiced
the
rumba
steps
for
her
showcase
.
schottische
[noun]
a partnered folk dance in 2/4 or 4/4 time, featuring hopping and gliding steps; popular in Europe and the Americas
Ex:
snake dance
[noun]
a ceremonial dance ritual characterized by a line of dancers moving in sinuous, winding patterns reminiscent of a snake's movements
Ex:
The
crowd
joined in
a
spontaneous
snake dance
.
strathspey
[noun]
a traditional Scottish dance in 4/4 time with a distinctive dotted rhythm, typically slower than a reel and often accompanied by bagpipes or fiddles
Ex:
The
strathspey
requires
controlled
and
elegant
steps
.
sword dance
[noun]
a traditional dance form often performed in various cultures, typically involving intricate movements with swords or other bladed objects, symbolizing bravery, skill, or cultural heritage
Ex:
In
China
,
the
"
Jianwu
"
or
sword dance
is
a
traditional
form
of
folk dance
,
often
performed
as
part
of
cultural
festivities
or
martial arts
demonstrations
.
virginia reel
[noun]
a lively American folk dance for couples in two facing lines, involving weaving and turning patterns
Ex:
She
taught
her
students
how
to
do
the
Virginia reel
.
clogging
[noun]
a style of percussive dance characterized by rhythmic footwork, often performed to traditional folk or country music
contra dance
[noun]
a social folk dance where couples form two long lines and perform coordinated moves, common in North America
Ex:
The
caller
guided
the
group
through
the
contra dance
steps
.
stick dance
[noun]
a type of dance that involves the use of sticks or poles as props or percussion instruments, often seen in cultural or folk dances from various regions around the world