African dancing has both historical and social traditions that reflect more significance than those of many other cultures. The dances help celebrate not only special events and festivals, similar to other cultures, but often tell the stories of the nation's history. Unwritten oral history, passed through generation before writing became part of the culture, often included African dance as part of the process.
These dances were not only celebratory they were also instructive and were used to teach the younger generation about morals and values. They were also used to praise and pray to the gods and give thanks for a bountiful harvest or a successful hunt.
Many tribes trained singers to provide the music for the African dance. They produced intricate harmonies and set the rhythmic pace for the dance. While most of the music came from vocals, often drums accompanied the singers to provide heavy rhythms for the dancers. The bougaragou, on of the drums used, is by far the most popular, although there are dozens of others.
The dance of Africans is one method the cultures had of passing on their histories and beliefs. African dancing holds more significance than the dance steps of other cultures, since it part of their oral history tradition rather than just for social entertainment. The dance passed down each tribe's beliefs and history long before they had written records. It is part of the oral history of each tribal nation.
Unlike many European or Latin dances, traditional African Dance is a collective experience. There are normally no partners, hand-holding or passionate embraces. In short, African Dancing is about the entire community rather than just a single couple. Many times dancers are actually separated by gender and age to symbolize the different stages of life.
Singers for the dance provided the background music. The trained voices produced intricate harmonies and melodies and often provided the rhythmic pace for the dance. Some tribes used more than just the vocals for the rhythm; they used drums also. Of all the many different drums the tribes used in their dance ceremonies, the bougaragou was the most popular and frequently used.
The following is a list of some of the most popular traditional African dances:
The warrior dance is a wild and violet dance that prepared the men for battle. As the dance continued, the fervor of the dancers increased in violent actions and mimicked those movements found on the battlefield.
Weddings and anniversaries often brought the dance of love to the celebrations. Unlike western thoughts, there were no couples but women primarily danced this celebratory dance. It showed the tribe's acknowledgement of the love that existed between the couple.
Winning wars was important to the various African nations and to help them build courage and become dominant on the battlefield, they participated in warrior dance before the battle ensued. The dance started slowly but as it progressed, it became wild and violent. It displayed the gruesome actions on the battlefield.
Other African dances besides these mentioned hold a hold a high place in the tribal traditions. The dances display important cultural morays and play a big role in understanding the culture and history of the tribes.
These dances were not only celebratory they were also instructive and were used to teach the younger generation about morals and values. They were also used to praise and pray to the gods and give thanks for a bountiful harvest or a successful hunt.
Many tribes trained singers to provide the music for the African dance. They produced intricate harmonies and set the rhythmic pace for the dance. While most of the music came from vocals, often drums accompanied the singers to provide heavy rhythms for the dancers. The bougaragou, on of the drums used, is by far the most popular, although there are dozens of others.
The dance of Africans is one method the cultures had of passing on their histories and beliefs. African dancing holds more significance than the dance steps of other cultures, since it part of their oral history tradition rather than just for social entertainment. The dance passed down each tribe's beliefs and history long before they had written records. It is part of the oral history of each tribal nation.
Unlike many European or Latin dances, traditional African Dance is a collective experience. There are normally no partners, hand-holding or passionate embraces. In short, African Dancing is about the entire community rather than just a single couple. Many times dancers are actually separated by gender and age to symbolize the different stages of life.
Singers for the dance provided the background music. The trained voices produced intricate harmonies and melodies and often provided the rhythmic pace for the dance. Some tribes used more than just the vocals for the rhythm; they used drums also. Of all the many different drums the tribes used in their dance ceremonies, the bougaragou was the most popular and frequently used.
The following is a list of some of the most popular traditional African dances:
The warrior dance is a wild and violet dance that prepared the men for battle. As the dance continued, the fervor of the dancers increased in violent actions and mimicked those movements found on the battlefield.
Weddings and anniversaries often brought the dance of love to the celebrations. Unlike western thoughts, there were no couples but women primarily danced this celebratory dance. It showed the tribe's acknowledgement of the love that existed between the couple.
Winning wars was important to the various African nations and to help them build courage and become dominant on the battlefield, they participated in warrior dance before the battle ensued. The dance started slowly but as it progressed, it became wild and violent. It displayed the gruesome actions on the battlefield.
Other African dances besides these mentioned hold a hold a high place in the tribal traditions. The dances display important cultural morays and play a big role in understanding the culture and history of the tribes.
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You can learn more about African dance by watching the African Side movie to see some great African dancing. Visit the African Side website today to obtain your copy.
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