Something that distinguishes countries from the rest, in addition to food, is dance. It may be that many countries have a unique characteristic style, as is the case in Spain , where flamenco is the national dance. Others, like Mexico or the United States, have different styles. In our article today we invite you to take a tour of the dances of the world that you should see if you visit other countries.
Dances of the world
Flamenco, Spain
There are two things that represent Spain abroad, in addition to its football teams: the potato omelette in gastronomy and flamenco in dance. And is that flamenco is one of the dances in the world par excellence, with dancers who have remained engraved in the collective memory of other countries, such as Joaquín Cortés or Sara Baras . Flamenco is so important that it plays a fundamental role in the country’s tourism sector. It is not uncommon to find a flamenco show that not only offers art, but also dinners and tastings for tourists.
Andalusia is considered the birthplace of flamenco in its different facets: dance, singing and guitar. Flamenco couldn’t be from another part of Spain; 4 cultures converged here (gypsy, Arab, Christian and Jewish) from which, according to tradition, flamenco arose. This art was consolidated as such in the 18th century, but its origins are more ancient.
From Andalusian culture, flamenco has grace, elegance, that mischief and grace to dance; From gypsies, flamenco takes strength, temperament that interpretive claw that shakes the viewer. It is believed that, from the blacks who came to the area, flamenco adopted the sensuality of the movements. Something that draws the attention of flamenco is the passion that the artists show. It is a dance full of strength, overwhelming feelings and a lot of drama; Not for nothing has UNESCO declared flamenco an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2010.
Folklore, Mexico
In Mexico, dance has been a religious movement and later a social one. Before the conquest, in 1521, the Mexican natives danced to worship the gods, a form of tribute or offering. When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they destroyed (or at least tried) everything that represented these deities because they considered them pagan. They tried to eradicate the dance, but the Mexicans took advantage of the Spanish fervor for the monotheistic religion and dedicated their dance pieces to that one god.
Of course, these dances underwent numerous modifications, but they were used to please the god brought from Europe. During the colonial era, new dances were invented that incorporated Spanish elements. When independence broke out in 1810, indigenous dances were put aside and other styles predominated. These new dances were used to give the people of Mexico an identity, a sense of patriotism. From there, such famous dances as “El jarabe tapatío”, “El son de la negra” or the famous “huapango” arise.
The Mexican Revolution, in 1910, did nothing more than give continuity to these dances, making them a symbol for Mexicans. If you visit Mexico we recommend you see the Rite of the Flyers of Papantla. Its origins date back to the Middle Preclassic period of Mesoamerica and it is believed to be a ritual related to fertility.
In the ritual, 5 people climb a pole just over 20 meters high. One remains in the center, the caporal, who plays a drum and a flute. The dancers, who represent the 4 cardinal points, place ropes on their waists and, at a signal from the bodyguard, they rush into the void, face down and holding onto their legs. In total they make 13 laps, simulating the 13 skies descending from the sun, until they reach the ground.
Tango, Argentina
What came first, the music or the dance? There are those who believe that tango emerged first as a dance and later as a musical genre. The first was developed in the middle of the 19th century, while the second was not until the end of that century. Tango emerged on the banks or suburbs (marginalized areas) of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Thanks to this sociocultural mix, which inhabited these regions, Afro-Rio de la Plata, gaucho and European styles and rhythms merged and what we now call tango was born.
Tango is a dance that is performed in pairs and is characterized by the way of walking, the bearing, the elegance and the passion of the dancers, fused in a very close embrace and with their bodies always in contact. It is a provocative and sensual dance. Do you want to dare with this dance? We recommend that you start by learning some of its steps: the box, the crib, the bite …
Riverdance, Ireland
One of the most modern dances in the world is the Riverdance. It dates from 1995, but it is quite a sight to see. Such has been the success of Riverdance, that there are schools throughout the world to teach this wonderful dance. Riverdance brings together Irish traditions, starting with the traditional music of the place, but adapted to the time, as it is a mixture of Irish folklore with rock rhythms and bass. But let’s go to the origin of Riverdance, which is based on the Pala social dance, divided into “céili” and “group dance”. The first is danced in varied formations of 2 to 16 people who form different figures; while, the second, is about gangs, interpreted by four couples, that move in a square.
Riverdance is characterized by the rigidity of the trunk and arms, which contrasts with the agile movements of the legs and feet. Another of the great hallmarks of this world-famous dance? Celtic music, capable of shaking anyone; the strength and skill of its dancers.
Tap, United States
In the United States there are different styles of dance. From modern hip-hop and breakdance, which emerged in the New York Bronx , to jazz (the dance base of Broadway musicals), through the iconic Charleston or country. But let’s talk about a dance that already existed before the breakdance championships, Bob Fosse and the Charleston foxtrot of the 1920s: the tap dance .
Tap dancing is the result of the fusion of Irish clog dances and African-American performances, which was born between the 17th and 18th centuries. The tap arose thanks to a prohibition: that of blacks using percussion instruments; this was not going to be an impediment for them, so, showing off their ingenuity, they decided to make music with their feet and with their hands.
Before the American Civil War, the only people who danced tap were slaves and immigrants. The mixture of the styles of all of them, that met in small competitions to demonstrate their abilities, originated the American tap dance, as we know it today. Do you know who tap is a lot like and, in fact, it is practiced with the same shoes? The Irish Riverdance!
The tap dance or tap dance gained a lot of popularity thanks to its appearance in Hollywood musicals, by the hand of Fred Astaire, a benchmark of song and dance for North Americans. Other celebrities who made it big were Gene Kelly in movies like Singing in the Rain and the nice Shirley Temple.
Trepak, Russia
The Trepak is a Russian ethnic dance that became popular thanks to the famous ballet “ The Nutcracker” by Tchaikovsky. It is one of the most difficult dances in the world to perform, as it requires precision, but, above all, a lot of physical resistance. The trepak is based on the Ukrainian folk dance: the Tropak or Tripak. But is it Ukrainian or Russian? If we draw on the history lessons, we will remember that Ukraine has been linked, much of the time to Russia; It is not surprising that, although the music and dance were inspired by the Ukrainian tradition, the Trepak ended up being called “Russian dance”.
The trepak is divided into 4 times and includes jumps, acrobatics, contact with the ground; That is why it demands a lot of endurance and strength. Do you dare to try this or another of the dances of the world?
