DAN 2520 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Sacred Dance, Hypnotic
Document Summary
Origins: considered a delight to sway in circles, stamp out rhythms (not complex like today"s dance) Warriors: dance to win a fight in defense of their property. Spiritual: believed that if one danced very loudly they could banish spirits. Fertility: dance could bring rain, celebrate the harvest, celebrate birth and puberty, celebrate marriage and death. Fertility dance was very important for population and successful agriculture. Significant occasions: marriage, death or just for fun. Animals: dancers would embody animals with masks and movements to win power over said animal when hunting. War: dances were fast moving, weapons were involved, masculine movement, almost hypnotic in quality. Ancient myths: include common themes like good vs. evil. Astro: dancers dedicated movement to the sun, moon and stars, they face a certain direction for specific ceremonies depending on the suns position. Length varied: it could last as long as several days.
