Dance

Lore & Background

It has been proposed that before the invention of written languages, dance was an important part of oral and performance methods of passing stories down from one generation to the next. The use of dance in ecstatic trance states and healing rituals is thought to have been another early factor in the social development of dance. References to dance appear in very early recorded history; Greek dance is referred to by Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. The Bible and Talmud contain over 30 different dance terms. In Chinese pottery from the Neolithic period, groups of people are depicted dancing in a line holding hands, and the earliest Chinese word for 'dance' is found written in oracle bones. During the first millennium BCE in India, Bharata Muni's Natya Shastra was composed, dealing mainly with drama in which dance plays an important part. Dance is generally performed with the accompaniment of music, though some dance such as tap dance or gumboot dance may provide its own audible accompaniment. Many early forms of music and dance were created for each other and are frequently performed together. The choreography and music are meant to complement each other to express a story. Rhythm and dance are deeply linked; dances generally have a characteristic tempo and rhythmic pattern, such as the tango usually danced in 2/4 time at approximately 66 beats per minute.

Reader's Guide

Dance holds significance as one of the oldest human art forms, with evidence stretching back thousands of years. It serves multiple functions across cultures: theatrical dance is intended as a spectacle for an audience, often telling a story or interpreting music, while participatory dance is undertaken for social interaction, exercise, or building flexibility. Dance is not solely restricted to performance, as it is also used as a form of exercise and occasionally training for other sports and activities. The relationship between dance and music is deeply intertwined, with some scholars arguing that dance may have been the first art form from which music and poetry emerged. Dance traditions have been codified in texts such as the Natya Shastra in India and Thoinot Arbeau's Orchésographie, and continue to evolve in contemporary forms including Bollywood entertainment. The legacy of dance is its universal presence in human culture, from ancient rituals to modern competitions, reflecting both individual expression and collective identity.

Did You Know?

• The Bible and Talmud refer to many events related to dance and contain over 30 different dance terms.
• Some dance, such as tap dance or gumboot dance, may provide its own audible accompaniment in place of or in addition to music.
• The tango is usually danced in 2/4 time at approximately 66 beats per minute.