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.
African Dance was one of the first to rely on music from choruses of trained singers who used harmony and complicated arrangements to set the pace and rhythm of the dance. Though the primary instrument for most choruses is the human voice, the second most popular instrument was and still is the African drum. There are literally dozens of different drums that are commonly used in African Dance. The basic bougarabou is one of the most popular African drums.
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.
The African dances not only told of historical feats and actions; they were a way to pass on the societies social values to the tribe's young people. Some of the dances, however, were actually praises to the gods for help with the crops or a victory in war or on the hunt.
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.
Dance of Love: A slow dance that is performed to acknowledge and celebrate special occasions like weddings or anniversaries. It is often danced only by the women.
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.
African Dance was one of the first to rely on music from choruses of trained singers who used harmony and complicated arrangements to set the pace and rhythm of the dance. Though the primary instrument for most choruses is the human voice, the second most popular instrument was and still is the African drum. There are literally dozens of different drums that are commonly used in African Dance. The basic bougarabou is one of the most popular African drums.
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.
The African dances not only told of historical feats and actions; they were a way to pass on the societies social values to the tribe's young people. Some of the dances, however, were actually praises to the gods for help with the crops or a victory in war or on the hunt.
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.
Dance of Love: A slow dance that is performed to acknowledge and celebrate special occasions like weddings or anniversaries. It is often danced only by the women.
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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