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[[File:Dansa tradicional valenciana - Museu Valencià d'Etnologia.jpg|thumb|300px|Traditional [[Valencia]]n dances.]]
[[File:Dansa tradicional valenciana - Museu Valencià d'Etnologia.jpg|thumb|300px|Traditional [[Valencia]]n dances.]]


A '''folk dance''' is a [[dance]] that reflects the life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, [[Ritual|ritual dance]]s or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "religious dances" because of their purpose.
A '''folk dance''' is a [[dance]] that reflects the life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all [[ethnic]] dances are folk dances. For example, [[Ritual|ritual dance]]s or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "religious dances" because of their purpose.


The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones. If some dances, such as [[polka]], cross ethnic boundaries and even cross the boundary between "folk" and "ballroom dance", ethnic differences are often considerable enough to mention.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Folk dance {{!}} Definition, Music, History, Types, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/folk-dance |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>
The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones. If some dances, such as [[polka]], cross ethnic boundaries and even cross the boundary between "folk" and "ballroom dance", ethnic differences are often considerable enough to mention.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Folk dance {{!}} Definition, Music, History, Types, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/art/folk-dance |access-date=2022-12-10 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref>


==Background==
==Background==
{{Unsourced section|date=April 2025}}[[File:Traditional dancers and performance during the Pulljay festivities in Tarabuco.ogv|thumb|right|Traditional dancers and performance during the Pulljay festivities in Tarabuco.]]
[[File:Traditional dancers and performance during the Pulljay festivities in Tarabuco.ogv|thumb|right|Traditional dancers and performance during the Pulljay festivities in Tarabuco.]]
Folk dances share some or all of the following attributes:{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
Folk dances share several commonly recognized characteristics:


*Dances are usually held at folk dance gatherings or social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditional music.
* They are typically performed at social gatherings or community events by people with little or no professional training, often accompanied by traditional or folk music.<ref name="Buckland1983">Buckland, Theresa. "Definitions of Folk Dance: Some Explorations." ''Folk Music Journal'' 4, no. 5 (1983): 281–296. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/4522127 JSTOR 4522127].</ref>
*Dances not generally designed for public performance or the stage, though they may later be arranged and set for stage performances.
*Execution dominated by an inherited tradition from various international cultures rather than innovation (though folk traditions change over time).
*New dancers often learn informally by observing others or receiving help from others.
More controversially, some people define folk dancing as dancing for which there is no governing body or dancing for which there are no [[Competition|competitive]] or professional institutions. The term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to dances of historical importance in European culture and history; typically originating before the 20th century. For other cultures the terms "ethnic dance" or "traditional dance" are sometimes used, although the latter terms may encompass ceremonial dances.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}


There are a number of modern dances, such as hip hop dance, that evolve spontaneously, but the term "folk dance" is generally not applied to them, and the terms "street dance" or "vernacular dance" are used instead.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} The term "folk dance" is reserved for dances which are to a significant degree bound by tradition and originated in the times when the distinction existed between the dances of "common folk" and the dances of the modern ballroom dances originated from folk ones.
* Folk dances generally originate as participatory social activities rather than as staged performances, although some may later be adapted or stylized for theatrical presentation.<ref name="Zebec2022">Zebec, Mira. "Tradition on the Stage: Dance and Transmission between Different Aesthetics." In ''Dance and Economy / Dance Transmission: Proceedings of the 31st Symposium of the ICTM Study Group on Ethnochoreology'', edited by Anne von Bibra Wharton and Dalia Urbanavičienė, 2022. [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/367162807_Tradition_on_the_stage_dance_and_transmission_between_different_aesthetics_Anne_von_Bibra_Wharton_Dalia_Urbanaviciene_editors_Dance_and_Economy_Dance_Transmission_Proceedings_of_the_31st_Symposium_of_ ResearchGate].</ref>
 
* Their form and execution are primarily guided by inherited traditions transmitted across generations, reflecting local or regional identities, though gradual adaptation and change are common.<ref name="Lykesas2017">Lykesas, Georgios, Koutsouba, Maria, and Tyrovola, Vassiliki. "The Transformation of Traditional Dance from Its First to Its Second Existence." ''International Journal of Education and Practice'' 5, no. 10 (2017): 147–157. [https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1166100.pdf ERIC EJ1166100].</ref>
 
*  New dancers typically learn through informal means—by observing, imitating, and receiving assistance from more experienced participants—rather than through formal instruction.<ref name="Lykesas2017" /><ref name="Zebec2022" />
 
Modern social dances such as [[hip hop]] and other street styles have often evolved spontaneously within communities, but the term folk dance is generally not applied to them. Instead, they are more commonly referred to as street dances or vernacular dances.<ref name="Schloss2009">Schloss, Joseph G. ''Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-Hop Culture in New York''. Oxford University Press, 2009.</ref><ref name="Thomas2014">Thomas, Helen. ''The Routledge Encyclopedia of Dance Studies''. Routledge, 2014.</ref> The term folk dance is typically reserved for dance forms that are significantly bound by tradition and that originated during periods when a clear distinction existed between the dances of the “common folk” and those of the social elite, many of which later evolved into modern ballroom and theatrical dance forms.<ref name="Kealiinohomoku1970">Kealiʻinohomoku, Joann. "An Anthropologist Looks at Ballet as a Form of Ethnic Dance." In ''What Is Dance? Readings in Theory and Criticism'', edited by Roger Copeland and Marshall Cohen. Oxford University Press, 1983 (orig. 1970).</ref>


== Europe ==
== Europe ==
{{Unsourced section|date=April 2025}}[[File:Tarantella (unknown date), by Alexandre-Thomas Francia.jpg|thumb|Italians dancing the ''[[tarantella]].'']]
[[File:Tarantella (unknown date), by Alexandre-Thomas Francia.jpg|thumb|Italians dancing the ''[[tarantella]].'']]
[[File:2954-Kud Doka Paulovic de Servia no Festival Folclorico da Coruña. (8202865217).jpg|thumb|Serbian folk group dancing at a festival.]]
[[File:2954-Kud Doka Paulovic de Servia no Festival Folclorico da Coruña. (8202865217).jpg|thumb|Serbian folk group dancing at a festival.]]
[[File:Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel.jpg|thumb|right|Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel.]]
[[File:Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel.jpg|thumb|right|Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel.]]
[[File:Turkey folk dance.jpg|thumb|right|Turkey folk dance.]]
[[File:Turkey folk dance.jpg|thumb|right|Turkey folk dance.]]
[[File:Armenian dancers. HlushenkovFolkFest in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine. Photo 71.jpg|thumb|right|Armenian dancers. HlushenkovFolkFest in [[Khmelnytskyi|Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine]].]]
[[Sword dance]]s include traditional forms such as [[long sword dances]] and [[rapper dancing]].<ref name="Forrest2011">Forrest, John. ''The History of Morris Dancing, 1458–1750''. University of Toronto Press, 2011.</ref> Some choreographed social dances, such as contra dance, Scottish highland dance, [[Scottish country dance]], and [[modern Western square dance]], are sometimes described as folk dances, though this usage is not accurate in the strictest ethnological sense.<ref name="Thomas2014" /><ref name="Sharp1912">Sharp, Cecil J., and Karpeles, Maud. ''The Country Dance Book''. London: Novello & Co., 1912.</ref>
 
[[Country dance]] shares historical and stylistic features with both contemporary folk dance and ballroom dance. Many country and ballroom dances trace their origins to earlier folk traditions, having undergone gradual refinement and formalization over time.<ref name="Hilton1990">Hilton, Wendy. ''Dance and Music of Court and Theater: Selected Writings of Wendy Hilton''. Pendragon Press, 1990.</ref><ref name="Kealiinohomoku1970" />
 
Folk dances often developed long before the establishment of modern national or political boundaries, resulting in certain dance forms being shared across multiple countries and cultures. For example, several [[Serbian dances|Serbian]], [[Bulgarian dances|Bulgarian]], and [[Croatian dances]] exhibit closely related steps, styles, and musical structures, and in some cases even share the same names and melodies.<ref name="Rice2003">Rice, Timothy. ''Bulgaria: Songs from the Shopi Region''. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2003.</ref><ref name="Giurchescu1994">Giurchescu, Anca, and László Felföldi. "Dance as Shared Culture: The Balkans as a Dance Area." In ''Dance and Society: Dancer as a Cultural Performer'', edited by Elsie Ivancich Dunin et al., Nordic Institute of Folk Life, 1994.</ref><ref name="Milošević2019">Milošević, Vlastimir. ''Traditional Dances of Serbia: Their History and Development''. Institute of Musicology SASA, 2019.</ref>
 
[[International folk dance]] groups exist in many cities and on college campuses around the world, where participants learn and perform traditional dances from a wide variety of cultures for recreation and social connection.<ref name="Shapiro2008">Shapiro, Shona. ''International Folk Dance: A Community for All Ages''. Folk Dance Federation of California, 2008.</ref><ref name="Tucker2013">Tucker, Jonathan. ''The Folk Dance Handbook: Learning, Teaching, and Creating Community''. Routledge, 2013.</ref><ref name="Thomas2014" />
 
[[Balfolk]] refers to [[social dance]] events featuring live folk-inspired music, popular primarily in Western and Central Europe. The movement originated during the folk revival of the 1970s and has grown in popularity since around 2000. Balfolk events typically include partner dances that were fashionable across Europe in the late 19th century—such as the [[schottische]], [[polka]], [[mazurka]], and [[waltz]]—along with a variety of regional and traditional dances, mainly from [[France]], but also from [[Sweden]], [[Spain]], and other European countries.<ref name="Ruhlmann2015">Rühlmann, André. "The Balfolk Movement: Between Folk Tradition and Contemporary Social Dance." ''Yearbook for Traditional Music'' 47 (2015): 145–162.</ref><ref name="Bithell2007">Bithell, Caroline, and Juniper Hill, eds. ''The Oxford Handbook of Music Revival''. Oxford University Press, 2014.</ref><ref name="Thomas2014" />
 
Varieties of European folk dances include:
Varieties of European folk dances include:
{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}
{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}
Line 60: Line 71:
*[[Maypole dance]]
*[[Maypole dance]]
*[[Morris dance]]
*[[Morris dance]]
**[[Nantgarw tradition|Welsh Morris dance]]
*[[Polka]]
*[[Polka]]
*[[Polish folk dances]]
*[[Polish folk dances]]
Line 77: Line 87:
*[[Sword dance]]
*[[Sword dance]]
*[[Weapon dance]]
*[[Weapon dance]]
*[[Welsh dance]]
*[[Zwiefacher]]
*[[Zwiefacher]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
[[Sword dance]]s include [[Long Sword dance|long sword dances]] and [[Rapper dance|rapper dancing]]. Some [[choreographed]] dances such as [[contra dance]], [[Scottish highland dance]], [[Scottish country dance]], and [[modern western square dance]], are called folk dances, though this is not true in the strictest sense. [[Country dance]] overlaps with contemporary folk dance and ballroom dance. Most country dances and ballroom dances originated from folk dances, with gradual refinement over the years.
People familiar with folk dancing can often determine what country a dance is from even if they have not seen that particular dance before. Some countries' dances have features that are unique to that country, although neighboring countries sometimes have similar features.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}} For example, the [[Germany|German]] and [[Austria]]n [[Schuhplattler|schuhplattling dance]] consists of slapping the body and shoes in a fixed pattern, a feature that few other countries' dances have.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
Folk dances sometimes evolved long before current political boundaries, so that certain dances are shared by several countries.  For example, some [[Serbian dances|Serbian]], [[Bulgarian dances|Bulgarian]], and [[Croatian dances]] share the same or similar dances, and sometimes even use the same name and music for those dances.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
[[International folk dance]] groups exist in cities and college campuses in many countries, in which dancers learn folk dances from many cultures for recreation.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}
[[Balfolk]] events are [[social dance]] events with live music in Western and Central Europe, originating in the folk revival of the 1970s and becoming more popular since about 2000, where popular European partner dances from the end of the 19th century such as the [[schottische]], [[polka]], [[mazurka]] and [[waltz]] are danced, with additionally other European folk dances, mainly from [[France]], but also from [[Sweden]], [[Spain]] and other countries.


==Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia==
==Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia==
The regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia are home to a vast array of folk dance traditions that reflect centuries of cultural exchange, migration, and shared heritage across ancient trade routes such as the Silk Road. Folk dances in these areas often feature rhythmic footwork, expressive gestures, and distinctive regional music, serving as integral parts of weddings, festivals, and communal celebrations. In the Middle East, circle and line dances such as the [[Dabke]] are performed across [[Lebanon]], [[Syria]], [[Palestine]], and [[Jordan]]. Central Asian traditions include energetic group dances such as the [[Attan]] of [[Afghanistan]] and the [[Lezginka]] found across the [[Caucasus]] and [[Central Asia]]. In South Asia, folk dances such as [[Bhangra (dance)|Bhangra]] and [[Giddha]] from [[Punjab]], [[Garba (dance)|Garba]] and [[Dandiya Raas]] from [[Gujarat]], and the [[Kummi]] and [[Kolattam]] dances of southern India express agricultural, seasonal, and social themes through movement and music.<ref name="Shay2005">Shay, Anthony. ''Choreographic Politics: State Folk Dance Companies, Representation, and Power''. Wesleyan University Press, 2005.</ref><ref name="Roy2010">Roy, Ananya. ''Dance in South Asia: Traditions and Transformations''. Cambridge University Press, 2010.</ref><ref name="Naroditskaya2003">Naroditskaya, Inna. ''Song from the Land of Fire: Continuity and Change in Azerbaijanian Mugham''. Routledge, 2003.</ref><ref name="Nahachewsky2012">Nahachewsky, Andriy. ''Ukrainian Dance: A Cross-Cultural Approach''. McFarland, 2012.</ref>
{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}
* [[Ardah]]
* [[Ardah]]
* [[Armenian dance]]
* [[Armenian dance]]
Line 96: Line 99:
* [[Azerbaijani dances]]
* [[Azerbaijani dances]]
* [[Bihu dance|Bihu]], an [[Assam]]ese dance celebrating the arrival of spring, traditionally the beginning of the Assamese New Year
* [[Bihu dance|Bihu]], an [[Assam]]ese dance celebrating the arrival of spring, traditionally the beginning of the Assamese New Year
* [[Attan]] - The national dance of Afghanistan. Also a popular folk dance of Pashtuns tribes of Pakistan including the unique styles of Quetta and Waziristan in [[Pakistan]].
* [[Attan]] - The national dance of Afghanistan. Also a popular folk dance of the [[Pashtun]] tribes of Pakistan, including the unique styles of Quetta and Waziristan in [[Pakistan]].
* [[Belly Dance]]
* [[Belly Dance]]
* [[Bhangra (dance)|Bhangra]], a [[Punjabis|Punjabi]] harvest dance in Pakistan and India, and a music style that has become popular worldwide.
* [[Bhangra (dance)|Bhangra]], a [[Punjabis|Punjabi]] harvest dance in Pakistan and India, and a music style that has become popular worldwide.
Line 111: Line 114:
* [[Kurdish dance]]
* [[Kurdish dance]]
* [[Luri dances]]
* [[Luri dances]]
* [[Lewa (folk dance)]] - Baluch folk dance in Pakistan.
* [[Lewa (folk dance)]] - [[Baloch people|Baluch]] folk dance in Pakistan.
* [[Mazanderani dances]]
* [[Mazanderani dances]]
* [[Middle Eastern Dance]]
* [[Middle Eastern Dance]]
* [[Chaap]] (traditional Baloch folk dance in Pakistan)
* [[Chaap]] (traditional Baloch folk dance in Pakistan)
various dances such as tamang selo and many others
* [[Thabal chongba]]
* [[Thabal chongba]]
* Kyushtdepdi - The national dance of [[Turkmenistan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/?id=530|title=Golden age|last=V@DIM|website=www.turkmenistan.gov.tm}}</ref>
* Kyushtdepdi - The national dance of [[Turkmenistan]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.turkmenistan.gov.tm/_eng/?id=530|title=Golden age|last=V@DIM|website=www.turkmenistan.gov.tm}}</ref>
* [[Yowlah]]
* [[Yowlah]]
 
{{Div col end}}
===India===
===India===
{{main list|List of Indian folk dances}}
{{main list|List of Indian folk dances}}
{{also|[[Dance in India]]}}
{{also|[[Dance in India]]}}
{{cmn|
India has a rich and diverse tradition of folk dances, reflecting its regional, linguistic, and cultural variety. Nearly every state and community maintains distinctive dance forms associated with agricultural cycles, festivals, rituals, and social gatherings. In northern India, dances such as [[Bhangra (dance)|Bhangra]] and [[Giddha]] from [[Punjab]] and [[Rouf]] from [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] celebrate seasonal and festive occasions, while in western India, [[Garba (dance)|Garba]] and [[Dandiya Raas]] from [[Gujarat]], and [[Lavani]] from [[Maharashtra]], blend rhythm and storytelling. Eastern India features dances such as [[Chhau dance|Chhau]] of [[Odisha]], [[Jharkhand]], and [[West Bengal]], and [[Bihu dance|Bihu]] from [[Assam]], whereas in southern India, forms such as [[Kummi]], [[Kolattam]], and [[Oppana]] are performed during festivals and community events. These dances often emphasize collective participation, traditional costume, and regionally distinct music and instruments.<ref name="Roy2010" /><ref name="Vatsyayan1974">Vatsyayan, Kapila. ''Indian Classical Dance''. Publications Division, Government of India, 1974.</ref><ref name="Srivastava2004">Srivastava, Ranjana. ''Folk Culture and Oral Tradition in India''. Rawat Publications, 2004.</ref><ref name="Thomas2014" />
* [[Bhangra (dance)|Bhangra]]
* [[Chholiya]]
* [[Chhau dance]]
* [[Fugdi]]
* [[Garba (dance)|Garba]]
* [[Gaudiya Nritya]]
* [[Giddha]]
* [[Kalbelia]]
* [[Kambara dance|Kambara]]
* [[Lavani]]
* [[Ottan Thullal]]
* [[Rajasthan]]i
* [[Sattriya]]
* [[Tippani]]
* [[Yakshagana]]
}}


==East and Southeast Asia==
==East and Southeast Asia==
East and Southeast Asia encompass a wide range of folk dance traditions that reflect the region's diverse ethnic groups, religious influences, and historical interactions. In East Asia, dance forms such as [[Bon Odori]] in [[Japan]], [[Yangge]] and [[Lion dance|Lion dances]] in [[China]], and [[Talchum]] in [[Korea]] are performed during festivals and community celebrations, often combining music, costume, and symbolism. In Southeast Asia, folk and social dances like the [[Tinikling]] of the [[Philippines]], [[Ramwong]] of [[Thailand]], [[Apsara dance]] of [[Cambodia]], [[Zapin]] of [[Malaysia]], and [[Legong]] of [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]], express local legends, agricultural traditions, and ceremonial customs. Across the region, folk dances frequently serve as living expressions of cultural identity and communal harmony.<ref name="Roy2010" /><ref name="Thomas2014" /><ref name="Wrazen2007">Wrazen, Louise. “Music and Dance in East and Southeast Asia.” In ''The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: East Asia: China, Japan, and Korea'', edited by Robert C. Provine, Yosihiko Tokumaru, and J. Lawrence Witzleben. Routledge, 2007.</ref><ref name="Hanna1988">Hanna, Judith Lynne. ''Dance, Sex, and Gender: Signs of Identity, Dominance, Defiance, and Desire''. University of Chicago Press, 1988.</ref>
===China===
===China===
{{Main|Dance in China#Traditional dances}}
{{Main|Dance in China#Traditional dances}}
Line 159: Line 146:


===Indonesia===
===Indonesia===
[[File:2011-06-05 TTF 46.jpg|thumb|right|[[Javanese dance]]r performing ''[[Srimpi]]'' dance in [[Java]], Indonesia.]]
[[File:Srimpi dancer at Tong Tong Fair 2011.jpg|thumb|right|[[Javanese dance]]r performing ''[[Srimpi]]'' dance in [[Java]], Indonesia.]]
{{Main|Dance in Indonesia#Traditions}}
{{Main|Dance in Indonesia#Traditions}}
* [[Saman (dance)|Saman]]
* [[Saman (dance)|Saman]]
Line 253: Line 240:
*[[Chamamé]]
*[[Chamamé]]
*[[Malambo (dance)|Malambo]]
*[[Malambo (dance)|Malambo]]
=== Bolivia ===
* Bailecito
* [[Cueca]]
* [[Huayño|Huayno]]


=== Brazil ===
=== Brazil ===
*[[Samba (Brazilian dance)|Samba]]
*[[Samba (Brazilian dance)|Samba]]
=== Chile ===
* [[Cueca]]
=== Colombia ===
* [[Cumbia (Colombia)|Cumbia]]


=== Peru ===
=== Peru ===
*[[Marinera]]
*[[Marinera]]
* [[Huayño|Huayno]]


=== Venezuela ===
=== Venezuela ===
Line 349: Line 348:


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
* {{cite journal | last=Lytle | first=Tiffany | title=Is My Body My Own? | journal=Conversations Across the Field of Dance Studies | volume=42 | issue=0 | date=2023-04-13 | issn=2834-6823 | doi=10.3998/conversations.3657 | url = https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/conversations/article/id/3657/| doi-access=free }}
* {{cite journal | last=Lytle | first=Tiffany | title=Is My Body My Own? | journal=Conversations Across the Field of Dance Studies | volume=42 | date=2023-04-13 | issn=2834-6823 | doi=10.3998/conversations.3657 | url = https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/conversations/article/id/3657/| doi-access=free }}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 370: Line 369:
[[Category:Folk dance| ]]
[[Category:Folk dance| ]]
[[Category:Social dance]]
[[Category:Social dance]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]

Latest revision as of 08:42, 7 November 2025

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File:Dansa tradicional valenciana - Museu Valencià d'Etnologia.jpg
Traditional Valencian dances.

A folk dance is a dance that reflects the life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "religious dances" because of their purpose.

The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones. If some dances, such as polka, cross ethnic boundaries and even cross the boundary between "folk" and "ballroom dance", ethnic differences are often considerable enough to mention.[1]

Background

File:Traditional dancers and performance during the Pulljay festivities in Tarabuco.ogv
Traditional dancers and performance during the Pulljay festivities in Tarabuco.

Folk dances share several commonly recognized characteristics:

  • They are typically performed at social gatherings or community events by people with little or no professional training, often accompanied by traditional or folk music.[2]
  • Folk dances generally originate as participatory social activities rather than as staged performances, although some may later be adapted or stylized for theatrical presentation.[3]
  • Their form and execution are primarily guided by inherited traditions transmitted across generations, reflecting local or regional identities, though gradual adaptation and change are common.[4]
  • New dancers typically learn through informal means—by observing, imitating, and receiving assistance from more experienced participants—rather than through formal instruction.[4][3]

Modern social dances such as hip hop and other street styles have often evolved spontaneously within communities, but the term folk dance is generally not applied to them. Instead, they are more commonly referred to as street dances or vernacular dances.[5][6] The term folk dance is typically reserved for dance forms that are significantly bound by tradition and that originated during periods when a clear distinction existed between the dances of the “common folk” and those of the social elite, many of which later evolved into modern ballroom and theatrical dance forms.[7]

Europe

File:Tarantella (unknown date), by Alexandre-Thomas Francia.jpg
Italians dancing the tarantella.
File:2954-Kud Doka Paulovic de Servia no Festival Folclorico da Coruña. (8202865217).jpg
Serbian folk group dancing at a festival.
File:Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel.jpg
Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel.
File:Turkey folk dance.jpg
Turkey folk dance.

Sword dances include traditional forms such as long sword dances and rapper dancing.[8] Some choreographed social dances, such as contra dance, Scottish highland dance, Scottish country dance, and modern Western square dance, are sometimes described as folk dances, though this usage is not accurate in the strictest ethnological sense.[6][9]

Country dance shares historical and stylistic features with both contemporary folk dance and ballroom dance. Many country and ballroom dances trace their origins to earlier folk traditions, having undergone gradual refinement and formalization over time.[10][7]

Folk dances often developed long before the establishment of modern national or political boundaries, resulting in certain dance forms being shared across multiple countries and cultures. For example, several Serbian, Bulgarian, and Croatian dances exhibit closely related steps, styles, and musical structures, and in some cases even share the same names and melodies.[11][12][13]

International folk dance groups exist in many cities and on college campuses around the world, where participants learn and perform traditional dances from a wide variety of cultures for recreation and social connection.[14][15][6]

Balfolk refers to social dance events featuring live folk-inspired music, popular primarily in Western and Central Europe. The movement originated during the folk revival of the 1970s and has grown in popularity since around 2000. Balfolk events typically include partner dances that were fashionable across Europe in the late 19th century—such as the schottische, polka, mazurka, and waltz—along with a variety of regional and traditional dances, mainly from France, but also from Sweden, Spain, and other European countries.[16][17][6]

Varieties of European folk dances include:

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Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia

The regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia are home to a vast array of folk dance traditions that reflect centuries of cultural exchange, migration, and shared heritage across ancient trade routes such as the Silk Road. Folk dances in these areas often feature rhythmic footwork, expressive gestures, and distinctive regional music, serving as integral parts of weddings, festivals, and communal celebrations. In the Middle East, circle and line dances such as the Dabke are performed across Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. Central Asian traditions include energetic group dances such as the Attan of Afghanistan and the Lezginka found across the Caucasus and Central Asia. In South Asia, folk dances such as Bhangra and Giddha from Punjab, Garba and Dandiya Raas from Gujarat, and the Kummi and Kolattam dances of southern India express agricultural, seasonal, and social themes through movement and music.[18][19][20][21]

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India

Script error: No such module "Main list". Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". India has a rich and diverse tradition of folk dances, reflecting its regional, linguistic, and cultural variety. Nearly every state and community maintains distinctive dance forms associated with agricultural cycles, festivals, rituals, and social gatherings. In northern India, dances such as Bhangra and Giddha from Punjab and Rouf from Jammu and Kashmir celebrate seasonal and festive occasions, while in western India, Garba and Dandiya Raas from Gujarat, and Lavani from Maharashtra, blend rhythm and storytelling. Eastern India features dances such as Chhau of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, and Bihu from Assam, whereas in southern India, forms such as Kummi, Kolattam, and Oppana are performed during festivals and community events. These dances often emphasize collective participation, traditional costume, and regionally distinct music and instruments.[19][23][24][6]

East and Southeast Asia

East and Southeast Asia encompass a wide range of folk dance traditions that reflect the region's diverse ethnic groups, religious influences, and historical interactions. In East Asia, dance forms such as Bon Odori in Japan, Yangge and Lion dances in China, and Talchum in Korea are performed during festivals and community celebrations, often combining music, costume, and symbolism. In Southeast Asia, folk and social dances like the Tinikling of the Philippines, Ramwong of Thailand, Apsara dance of Cambodia, Zapin of Malaysia, and Legong of Bali, Indonesia, express local legends, agricultural traditions, and ceremonial customs. Across the region, folk dances frequently serve as living expressions of cultural identity and communal harmony.[19][6][25][26]

China

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Cambodia

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File:2016 Phnom Penh, Tradycyjny Kambodżański Pokaz Tańca (079).jpg
Cambodian Peacock dance.

Indonesia

File:Srimpi dancer at Tong Tong Fair 2011.jpg
Javanese dancer performing Srimpi dance in Java, Indonesia.

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Japan

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Korea

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Malaysia

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Nepal

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Philippines

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File:Folklore of the popular heritage of the State of the Philippines 16.jpg
Singkil, traditional folk dance of the Maranao people of the Philippines depicting parts of the epic poem, Darangen.
File:Tinikling.jpg
Members from the Philippine Cultural Dancers group perform tinikling during the 2007 Asian Pacific Heritage Month celebration at the Kadena Air Base, Japan.

Taiwan

South America

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Argentina

Bolivia

Brazil

Chile

Colombia

Peru

Venezuela

Africa

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Angola

Cameroon

Ghana

Niger

North America

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United States

Mexico

Dominican Republic

Oceania

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Notable people

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Gallery

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Buckland, Theresa. "Definitions of Folk Dance: Some Explorations." Folk Music Journal 4, no. 5 (1983): 281–296. JSTOR 4522127.
  3. ↑ a b Zebec, Mira. "Tradition on the Stage: Dance and Transmission between Different Aesthetics." In Dance and Economy / Dance Transmission: Proceedings of the 31st Symposium of the ICTM Study Group on Ethnochoreology, edited by Anne von Bibra Wharton and Dalia Urbanavičienė, 2022. ResearchGate.
  4. ↑ a b Lykesas, Georgios, Koutsouba, Maria, and Tyrovola, Vassiliki. "The Transformation of Traditional Dance from Its First to Its Second Existence." International Journal of Education and Practice 5, no. 10 (2017): 147–157. ERIC EJ1166100.
  5. ↑ Schloss, Joseph G. Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-Hop Culture in New York. Oxford University Press, 2009.
  6. ↑ a b c d e f Thomas, Helen. The Routledge Encyclopedia of Dance Studies. Routledge, 2014.
  7. ↑ a b Kealiʻinohomoku, Joann. "An Anthropologist Looks at Ballet as a Form of Ethnic Dance." In What Is Dance? Readings in Theory and Criticism, edited by Roger Copeland and Marshall Cohen. Oxford University Press, 1983 (orig. 1970).
  8. ↑ Forrest, John. The History of Morris Dancing, 1458–1750. University of Toronto Press, 2011.
  9. ↑ Sharp, Cecil J., and Karpeles, Maud. The Country Dance Book. London: Novello & Co., 1912.
  10. ↑ Hilton, Wendy. Dance and Music of Court and Theater: Selected Writings of Wendy Hilton. Pendragon Press, 1990.
  11. ↑ Rice, Timothy. Bulgaria: Songs from the Shopi Region. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2003.
  12. ↑ Giurchescu, Anca, and László Felföldi. "Dance as Shared Culture: The Balkans as a Dance Area." In Dance and Society: Dancer as a Cultural Performer, edited by Elsie Ivancich Dunin et al., Nordic Institute of Folk Life, 1994.
  13. ↑ Milošević, Vlastimir. Traditional Dances of Serbia: Their History and Development. Institute of Musicology SASA, 2019.
  14. ↑ Shapiro, Shona. International Folk Dance: A Community for All Ages. Folk Dance Federation of California, 2008.
  15. ↑ Tucker, Jonathan. The Folk Dance Handbook: Learning, Teaching, and Creating Community. Routledge, 2013.
  16. ↑ Rühlmann, André. "The Balfolk Movement: Between Folk Tradition and Contemporary Social Dance." Yearbook for Traditional Music 47 (2015): 145–162.
  17. ↑ Bithell, Caroline, and Juniper Hill, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Music Revival. Oxford University Press, 2014.
  18. ↑ Shay, Anthony. Choreographic Politics: State Folk Dance Companies, Representation, and Power. Wesleyan University Press, 2005.
  19. ↑ a b c Roy, Ananya. Dance in South Asia: Traditions and Transformations. Cambridge University Press, 2010.
  20. ↑ Naroditskaya, Inna. Song from the Land of Fire: Continuity and Change in Azerbaijanian Mugham. Routledge, 2003.
  21. ↑ Nahachewsky, Andriy. Ukrainian Dance: A Cross-Cultural Approach. McFarland, 2012.
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Vatsyayan, Kapila. Indian Classical Dance. Publications Division, Government of India, 1974.
  24. ↑ Srivastava, Ranjana. Folk Culture and Oral Tradition in India. Rawat Publications, 2004.
  25. ↑ Wrazen, Louise. “Music and Dance in East and Southeast Asia.” In The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: East Asia: China, Japan, and Korea, edited by Robert C. Provine, Yosihiko Tokumaru, and J. Lawrence Witzleben. Routledge, 2007.
  26. ↑ Hanna, Judith Lynne. Dance, Sex, and Gender: Signs of Identity, Dominance, Defiance, and Desire. University of Chicago Press, 1988.
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Sources

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External links

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