LESSON 5: ASIAN DANCES

a. Recognize folk dances from Asia;

b. Identify the common dance terms, dance steps and dances in the region;

c. Understand the characteristics of each Asian dance and how these dances shape the socio-political landscape of the country. 

Asia has a bright tapestry of distinctive dances particular to its many different cultures. They are, at once, fiercely guarded traditional treasures and proud examples of the artistry and imagination of tribes and nations. These folk dances come from the history and heart of specific people, telling their stories as evocatively as any artifact or legend.

Folk dance is an expression of the character of a people, reflections of the lives, societies, geographic and economic realities, and beliefs of ethnic or regional groups. The vast reach of Asia has produced an extravagance of colorful and captivating dances. Some are still as primal as the campfires around which they started, and some have evolved to the refined gestures of court decorum. There are far too many fascinating folk dances from Asia to consider in one brief glance. However, a quick survey of the remarkable range is an invitation to a more exhaustive exploration. 

ASIAN DANCES:

- is also known as Oriental Dances which is mainly based from the Japanese word ASOBI which means play and comes from the idea of the play of the god.

- the major theme of most Asian Dances is Religion and Magic.

CHARACTERISTICS:

- mostly it implores stamping on the ground showing constant earth contact.

- stylized use of torso, head, and arms.

- usually performed in as a part of religious worship or for entertainment.

- showing deep respect for tradition that is why it’s more perfected than stylized.

- every movement communicates the message of the dance has significance.

- many dances are based on historical event, a legend or a myth.

CHINA:

China is not historically a nation in which dance was of any real importance. One of the rare indications about the earliest and uniquely Chinese dances has to do with the use of a long sleeve (known as the “water sleeve”) as a technical and expressive side to dance. It appears that the use of sleeves was part of shamanistic worship. Sleeve dancing was widespread in China. CHINESE FAN DANCE is a simple but interesting dance from China suitable for girls.

INDIA:

Ancient Hindus believed that dance was given to them by the gods and goddesses. From the earliest times, dance has been important part of Indian life. Bharata Natyam is the oldest dance in the world that is still performed today. It is a dance originally performed in the temples of India, combines rhythmically complicated dancing with Hindu legends told in song and pantomime. Like other Indian dance forms, this temple dance uses mudras – hand gestures that have recognized meanings. Mudras often stand for animals, plants, or feelings. Indian classic dance contains three components – natya which represents the dramatic quality, nritta, the rhythmic aspect of the dance, and nritya, which has something to do with the expressive possibilities, the conveying of rasa (sentiment) and bhava (mood) through facial expression and bodily gestures.

JAPAN:

Japanese dance is more spiritual than technical. At its most intense, Japanese dance partakes of rituals and the performance of certain dances demands fasting and purification of the body in order to prepare the interpreter spiritually as well as physically. There are two basic styles of dance in Japan: the first embraces religious ritualistic dances, the court dances and the dances of the Noh drama, and the second is concerned with Kabuki drama, deriving from rustic dances and the popular dances of folk and festivals. Those elements which have been taken over from the severely beautiful and ancient Noh plays are called mai. The popular style taken from folk art is called odori. Furi are realistic mime movements and gestures which have been introduced from daily life. BON DANCE is a Japanese folk dance performed during the blooming of the Cherry Blossoms or during full moon. JAPANESE PARASOL DANCE is an easy, very colorful dance for girls. It is customary with the Japanese girls to use umbrella for rain or shine.

KOREA:

Korean dance reflects the historical and strategic importance of the country. The earliest clear record of it can be dated back to the third century. It was an essential factor of religious worship and of the nature cult that surrounded the planting and harvesting of crops. The point of departure that both North and South Korea in their conscious attempt to preserve and revivify the ancient traditions of the county’s dance was the survival of dances which were performed as entertainments at banquets and dinners among the nobility and wealthy merchant classes. These provided a basis for folk dances which have been carefully revived. Two elements are thereby protected: the ancient, traditional forms which include the surviving priestly dances, sometimes performed with a drum and folk dances which hark back inspiration to the work dances of peasants. The BUCHAECHUM, an elaborate shamanic fan dance, is a cultural ambassador, with global performances of graceful female dancers in traditional hanbok or dangui costumes, forming butterflies and flowers with decorative peony-painted fans.

INDONESIA:

In Southeast Asia, trance dances blend superstitions with Buddhist, Hindu, and Islamic beliefs. During the BARONG, a theatrical dance form performed on the Indonesian island of Bali, dancers in a trance act out a legendary battle between a dragon and a witch. The dancers turn knives on themselves. But in most cases, the trance prevents them from feeling pain and helps to protect them from injury. The most famous art of Indonesia include dances of the old royal courts of Java, and the dramatic folk dances of Bali. The Javanese dancers use slow, elaborate motions in which even finger movements have particular meaning. The dances represent scenes of adventure, battle, or love. Many Balinese dances are based on ancient Hindu stories, and have forceful rhythms and movements.

THAILAND:

The themes of Thai classical dance are religious traditional stories. A theatrical dance form exclusively for women is the LAKON, whose libretti come from both legendary and historical and legendary sources. The purer dance forms are those relating to exercises performed by warriors.

PHILIPPINES:

In its ethnic tradition, Philippine dance is classified into three: Ritual dances that connect the material world to the supernatural; Life cycle dances that celebrate birth, baptism, marriage, and death; and Occupational dances where life defenses and works are transformed into celebratory dances. The coming of the Spaniards in the Philippines brought significant changes in the lives of the Filipinos especially in dance. Filipinos became Christians. The Spaniards introduced European dances that were easily adopted by the Filipinos. Such dances were Rigodon, Lanceros, Mazurka, Polka, Virginia, Valse and Havanera. However, there were still Filipino natives who have retained the traditional dances particularly those who were living in the Cordillera Mountains and High mountains of Mindanao aside from the Muslim Filipinos.