How old is african dance

Griotic Dance A griot is an African bard, a tribal historian and storyteller. Enduring Characteristics The dances are syncopated, sophisticated and sensual. Slavery and Adaptation The slave trade imported entire cultures to islands in the Caribbean and to the plantation regions of the mainland.

Popular Culture The high energy and rhythmic appeal of the Africa dances and the hybrid versions that emerged from them inevitably transformed American popular dance -- Vaudeville, Broadway, and recreational.

Mid-Century Modern The twentieth century was a time of wild talent and innovation in the dance world, and the influence of African dance was paramount. Taking It to the Streets Street dancing, breaking, hip-hop, and its many iterations tutting, locking, popping, krumping… is closer to its African roots than many of the African-inspired dances that came directly out of the slave experience.

African Dance. History of Jazz Dance. By Benna Crawford. History of Latin Dance. Swing Dance History. By Crystal Schwanke. History of the Twist Dance. Clothing, Costume and Dress. History of Social Dance. Sub-Saharan Africa: History of Dress.

The Charleston Dance. By Kimberly Solis. Choreographer Bob Fosse. Famous Choreographers. History of Ballet. Modern Dance Steps. Characteristics of African Dance Most African dances are characterized by isolated movements that can be quite difficult to master. These are known as polycentric movements, meaning that the dancer's body is broken up and various parts of the body are moving independently of one another. Although the dances of varying tribes can differ drastically, many of them have been danced the same way for centuries and have polycentric aspects to them.

The drum is a crucial component of African tradition. It could be considered the heartbeat of the tribe, setting the mood of the community and serving as a communal point of energy connecting tribal members together.

Apart from the drum, African dance is also characterized by the clapping of hands and stomping of feet, maintaining a steady rhythm that is almost always accentuated by the singing voices of the tribe, all the while dancing. As Africans were stolen from their homes to be sold as slaves, they were dispersed across the world from South and North America to Europe and the Caribbean. Africans brought dance with them to these new lands, and in places such as Europe and South America, where slaves were given more freedom to practice their traditions, their dances merged with the preexisting dance styles to form new dances.

However, in North America, slaves were grievously repressed and subjugated to cruel laws that inhibited them from being able to dance. These instructions are passed down through generations and some have never been adjusted. Music and dance are such a regular part of daily existence in Africa because music communicates feeling, expresses soul-changing experiences, and even assists in bringing together networks of people who share common values and life experiences — all important values.

Dance can build a sense of security and accomplishment and offer opportunities as icebreakers in meeting new people and making new friends. African dances are usually participatory and each country has many unique styles. Some are really amazing. It is always exciting to watch the variety of African dance movements and styles.

Besides being an activity for amusement and fun, dance has many health benefits. It reinforces physical and psychological wellness by strengthening balance, posture and flexibility along with assisting with brain development and life moods.

But, there is something very unique about African dance. Although, in general, dance uses a progression of steps and movements to resonate with the speed and beat of a piece of music and coordinates the body in a cadenced manner, most African dances are segregated body movements that can be very hard to organize intellectually.

They are known as polyrhythm and polycentric movements. Polyrhythm is the layering of different rhythms over one another and polycentrism is the idea that movement can initiate from any part of the body. These two qualities play together because different parts of the body dance to different instruments that are playing at different rhythms. This method of dancing is another way of incorporating and valuing the entire body and bringing together the music and dancing.

Another way of expressing this is that the artist's body is in some sense separated so that different parts of the body are moving autonomously of each other.

The drum is also a significant part of African dance accompaniment. It very well may be viewed as the heartbeat of a particular clan, expressing its collective state of mind and relating this collective energy with that of the ancestors. Drumming is often accompanied by handclapping or stomping of feet, and is complemented by chanting voices as dancers are moving in disciplined steps.

Unfortunately, dance as a unique aspect of African culture was not so appreciated by the missionaries who came to our countries.