The magic of dance

The history of dancing and its significance to society


It is not known when people began to dance. However, because expressive movement is so spontaneous, and because dancing is s ointimately interrelated with other aspects of a culture, it is possible that dance developed along with the evolution of our species. Dancing is one of the most primitive instincts of mankind, older than any of man's activities but for eating and drinking.

Long before man was able to verbalise his thoughts and desires through speech, he communicated with his fellow man through signs and body movement, as proven by primitive cave-drawings depicting people dancing. Prehistoric cave paintings from more than 20,000 years ago depict figures in animal costumes who seem to be dancing, possibly in hunting or perhaps merely for entertainment.

As language developed, the early man's expressive movements continued, however these ceased to be spontaneous. They were later adapted as part of the customs of the tribe and though often their origins were forgotten, the dances lived on and became the foundation of folk dances.

Ancient civilisations

Written as well as visual evidence of dance has survived from the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Egyptian tombs depict people who seem to be dancers, often in acrobatic positions such as backbends; these figures probably represent professional entertainers who were slaves.

The Greeks admired dancing, including it among the activities fostered by their art, religion, and philosophy. Greek warrior dances were part of military training.

The ancient Romans are know especially for their development of pantomime. Although professional Roman dancers, pantomimists, jugglers, and acrobats worked as traveling entertainers, dance degenerated under the Romans, some of whom saw it as immoral.

Dance in India has a mythological beginning. Sage Bharata's Natya Shastra is the most exhaustive text on theatre art. It is easily the oldest in the world and is the common basis for the Indian classical tradition of music, dance, drama and iconography. There is evidence to show that classical dance in India is at least 2000 years old. Various cave paintings, engravings, sculptures from the Mohenjo Daro civilisation and other literary works show the beginnings of a very ancient dance form. The different classical dance styles were practised and perfected in the different parts of the country even through social and political upheavals.

Peoples of different cultures dance differently and for varying purposes. Their varied forms of dance can reveal much about their way of life. Every culture emphasises certain features in its dance styles. In ballet, for example, the dancer exercises to rotate the legs at the hips, making it possible to lift the leg high in an arabesque. In India, some dancers learn to choreograph their eyeballs and eyebrows.

Significance

Dance can be art, ritual or recreation. It goes beyond the functional purposes in order to express emotions, moods, or ideas; tell a story; serve religious, political, economic, or social needs; or simply be an experience that is pleasurable, exciting, or aesthetically valuable.

Dance often occurs at rites of passage, or ceremonies performed when an individual passes from one role to another. Thus, birth, initiation, graduation, marriage, succession to political office, and even death may be marked by dancing.

Dance may also be a part of courtship. In contemporary society, dances also provide important occasions for young people to socialise. Work too may be in the form of dance. Rhythmic movements may make the work go more quickly and efficiently, as in Japanese rice-planting dances.

Besides giving physical pleasure, dancing can have psychological effects. Feelings and ideas can be expressed and communicated; sharing rhythms and movements can make a group feel unified. A state of trance may enable people to perform remarkable feats of strength, endurance, or danger, such as dancing through hot coals. Same people dance in a trance in order to heal others physically or emotionally. The modern field of dance therapy has been developed as a means to help people express themselves and relate to others.

The physical and psychological effects of dance enable it to serve many functions. It may be a means of honouring cultural traditions, a way of worship, a style of entertainment, a form of fitness or a method to effect magical fun.