3. Belly Dancing
Belly dancing is widely believed to have originated in the Middle East and is considered a traditional dance. Its earliest forms can be traced back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Belly dance played a significant role in religious and cultural ceremonies dedicated to fertility goddesses, symbolizing femininity and the cycles of life.
This dance style requires conditioning your core muscles and focuses on isolating different parts of the body, particularly the hips and abdomen.
Try these basic belly dance movements!
- Hip Lifts and Drops:
- Lift one hip up by engaging the oblique muscles on that side.
- Drop the hip back down to the starting position.
- Alternate hips and maintain a steady rhythm.
- Hip Slides:
- Keep your upper body still and slide your hips to the right.
- Return to the center and slide your hips to the left.
- Focus on smooth, controlled movements.
- Hip Circles:
- Circle your hips clockwise, making a smooth, continuous motion.
- Reverse the direction to counterclockwise.
- Keep the movement isolated to your hips.
- Snake Arms:
- Extend one arm out to the side and move it in a wave-like motion.
- Start the wave from your shoulder, then move to the elbow, wrist and fingers.
- Alternate arms, keeping the movement fluid and continuous.
4. Fire Dancing
There are many forms of fire dancing. The most well-known fire dance form began in Polynesia, particularly Tahiti and Samoa and then spread to places like Hawaii.
Some of these performances showcase acrobatics, with dancers maneuvering ropes with weighted balls that are set on fire. Among them, some are characterized by intense martial movements, resembling a war dance. Additionally, there’s a version that adds a touch of humor and offers a more lighthearted interpretation of traditional dance forms.
For example, the Fa’ataupati or Samoan Slap Dance began as a way to shoo away mosquitoes.
Less commonly known fire dances include dance forms practiced by the Pa Then ethnic group in northern Vietnam. This dance is meant to exorcize demons and pray for a bountiful harvest, with fire considered a supreme god that brings good luck. This traditional dance involves jumping into the fire and walking on hot coals, with the belief that spirits protect the dancers.
This dance style was banned by the communist government in the 1960s and 1970s for being superstitious. However, it later returned and is now considered an important part of Pa Then culture.
5. Tinikling
Tinikling is a Filipino folk dance that utilizes bamboo poles tapped along the ground as dancers step over and between them. The movement of the poles can get more intricate as the dance progresses and the tempo increases. Throughout the dance, dancers perform holding hands, requiring them to dance in coordination.
The folk dance originated on the island of Visayas and is said to imitate the movement of Tikling birds as they run over branches and dodge bamboo traps. According to legend, the dance also has another origin. It is said that it began when the King of Spain ordered indigenous locals to work on lands overtaken by Spanish occupation.
Locals who disobeyed orders would have to stand between bamboo poles that were clapped together to hit their feet. They learned to jump to avoid the poles. Today this dance art form is the Philippines national dance.
6. Merengue and Bachata
Merengue and Bachata are two of the most popular dance forms in the Dominican Republic, and they are also widely performed in places like Puerto Rico. Both dances originate from the Dominican Republic and share a cultural background similar to salsa dance. They are danced to Latin dance music and involve partner dances that emphasize rhythmic steps and hip movements. These popular dances are relatively easy for beginners to learn.
The merengue is the Dominican Republic’s national dance. It has Spanish and African influences and is based on a repeating five-beat rhythmic pattern.
The bachata is a style of partner dance that originated in the Dominican Republic and is popular because of its relatively easy footwork. It includes basic steps and taps, along with some Cuban hip motion.
7. Punto Guanacasteco
Merengue and salsa are commonly performed in Costa Rica but the nation’s most popular traditional dance is the punto guanacasteco. It reflects traditional rites of courtship and is an example of a social dance that utilizes colorful costumes to draw in the audience.
The female dancers flare their skirts and the men wave hats and bright scarves as they dance around the room.
Learn the basic movements of Punto Guanacasteco.
- Learn the Footwork (Zapateo):
- Begin by standing with your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Lift your left foot slightly off the ground and tap it back down, followed by your right foot.
- Alternate tapping your feet in a rhythmic pattern, keeping your knees slightly bent for balance.
- As you become more comfortable, add variations such as heel taps, toe taps and stomps.
- Incorporate Percussive Movements (Golpes):
- Incorporate percussive movements with your hands and feet.
- Clap your hands together, slap your thighs, or stomp your feet in time with the music.
- Experiment with different combinations of golpes to create a rhythmic performance.
- Time to Promenade (Paseo):
- The Paseo is a graceful walking step performed by couples as they move around the dance floor.
- Begin by standing facing your partner, with your hands gently clasped together.
- Take small steps forward, leading with your right foot and following with your left, as your partner mirrors your movements.
- Maintain a smooth and steady pace, moving in sync with the music and maintaining eye contact with your partner.
- Ready to Turn (Vuelta):
- The Vuelta is a simple turn performed by couples.
- Start by standing facing your partner, with your hands clasped together.
- Take a step to the side with your right foot and pivot on your left foot, turning to the right as your partner turns to the left.
- Complete the turn by stepping back with your left foot and returning to your starting position, facing your partner once again.
8. Traditional Lotus and Fan Dances
Lotus and fan dances also utilize colorful costumes and are beautiful displays of grace and spirituality through body language. The lotus is important in many Asian cultures and symbolizes divine birth.
In Buddhism, people are considered an unopened lotus until they develop the virtues of Buddhism that allow them to bloom. In Vietnam, the lotus is also the national flower and is a symbol of purity and optimism for the future.
Traditional fan dances are also popular in Vietnam along with China, South Korea and other countries. In China, fan dancing is often used to pass down stories and traditions and are a type of concert dance.
9. Meke
In Fiji, traditional performances called meke have been a large part of the culture for centuries. The art form often includes singing, dancing and the playing of instruments, such as bamboo tubes called derua. The men wear warrior outfits and the women don traditional skirts and tops. Some versions of meke utilize spears and fans.
There are a number of versions of meke. They include rituals associated with birth and death. There also are some that are celebratory, entertaining and even comical. Generally though the performances are spiritual. It is said that deities taught the lyrics and dances, and some versions are meant to appease the spirits or ask for their blessing or protection.
10. Kohn
In Thailand, Kohn is a traditional dance and drama that features elaborate costumes and was performed by men in the royal court. Today it includes female performers.
Khon is based on Ramakien, which is the Thai adaptation of the Indian Hindu epic Ramayana. The story centers on Rama who spends 14 years in exile after being banished by his stepmother.
The characters in the performance are heroes, heroines, ogres and monkeys, including the monkey warrior Hanuman.
11. Taskiwin
Taskiwin is a martial arts dance of the Amazigh indigenous people in Morocco. It is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage.
The name of the dance stems from the name of the powder horn worn on the dancers’ left shoulders, called a tiskt. The dance requires about 20 men and is a theatrical production with acts. During the performance, the men vibrate their shoulders in sync with the rhythm of tambourines and execute intricate footwork, sometimes incorporating frenzied steps.
12. Hula Kahiko
This is an old-style hula dance form travelers may see in Hawaii. It is accompanied by traditional instruments, which may include seed-filled gourds, bamboo sticks and pahu drums.
Originally the hula was a spiritual dance meant to honor gods or praise chiefs. It was modified by missionaries who compelled the women to replace their hula skirts with long dresses. Later, visitors to the islands introduced other instrumentation to the dance performances, such as a small guitar that was used to develop the ukulele.
Celebrate International Dance Day with travel adventures! Feel the electrifying energy of K-pop as you train at a dance academy in Seoul, or enjoy Afro-Caribbean music, dance and cuisine in the Dominican Republic.