💃History of Dance Unit 2 – Ancient and Medieval Dance

Key Concepts and Terminology

• Ritual dance performed in religious ceremonies, festivals, and rites of passage
• Folk dance originated among common people, often reflecting cultural traditions and values
• Court dance emerged in aristocratic settings, characterized by refined movements and elaborate costumes
  • Served as entertainment and social interaction for nobility
  • Examples include pavane and galliard (Renaissance era)
• Sacred dance expressed devotion, spirituality, and connection to divine forces
  • Practiced in various religious contexts (temples, churches, shrines)
• Secular dance encompassed non-religious, social, and entertainment purposes
• Iconography visual representations of dance in art, such as paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts
• Oral tradition passing down dance knowledge and techniques through generations without written records

Historical Context and Timeline

• Ancient dance traces back to prehistoric times, with evidence from cave paintings and artifacts
• Egyptian civilization (3000 BCE-30 BCE) incorporated dance in religious rituals and festivals
  • Depicted in tomb paintings and hieroglyphs
• Ancient Greek dance (800 BCE-146 BCE) played a significant role in theater, education, and religious ceremonies
  • Influenced by mythology and gods
• Roman Empire (753 BCE-476 CE) adapted Greek dance styles and integrated them into entertainment and social gatherings
• Middle Ages (5th-15th centuries) saw the development of European folk and court dances
  • Influenced by the spread of Christianity and feudal society
• Renaissance period (14th-17th centuries) brought a revival of classical art and culture, impacting dance styles and aesthetics

Ancient Dance Forms and Practices

• Egyptian dances often mimicked natural elements and animal movements
  • Performed in temples and during festivals honoring deities (Osiris, Isis)
• Greek dances encompassed various genres, including choral, pyrrhic (war dance), and comedic
  • Emphasized harmony, symmetry, and balance
  • Dithyramb choral hymns performed in honor of Dionysus
• Roman dances incorporated pantomime and acrobatic elements
  • Performed in amphitheaters and public spaces
• Indian classical dances (Bharatanatyam, Kathak) originated in ancient Hindu temples
  • Conveyed religious stories and emotions through intricate hand gestures (mudras) and facial expressions
• Chinese dance history dates back to the Xia Dynasty (2070 BCE-1600 BCE)
  • Influenced by Confucian principles and martial arts
  • Dragon and lion dances performed during festivals and celebrations

Medieval Dance Styles and Traditions

• Carole a circle dance popular among French aristocracy, accompanied by singing
• Estampie an instrumental dance with a lively, jumping rhythm
• Saltarello an Italian dance characterized by fast, skipping steps
• Farandole a line or chain dance originating in Provence, France
  • Dancers held hands or linked arms, weaving intricate patterns
• Morris dance an English folk dance associated with springtime and fertility rituals
  • Performed with bells, sticks, and handkerchiefs
• Sword dances featured in various European cultures, symbolizing combat and bravery
• Round dances performed in circular formations, often around a central object or person
  • Represented unity, harmony, and social cohesion

Cultural and Social Significance

• Dance served as a means of communication, storytelling, and preserving cultural heritage
• Ritual dances connected communities to their spiritual beliefs and deities
  • Ensured bountiful harvests, successful hunts, and protection from evil
• Social dances fostered bonding, courtship, and celebration within communities
  • Marked important life events (weddings, births, victories)
• Court dances demonstrated social status, etiquette, and political alliances
  • Mastery of complex steps and patterns signified refinement and education
• Dance played a role in military training and preparation for battle
  • Pyrrhic dance in ancient Greece and sword dances in medieval Europe
• Religious dances expressed devotion, penance, and spiritual ecstasy
  • Sufi whirling dervishes and medieval Christian liturgical dances

Influential Figures and Choreographers

• Lucian of Samosata (125-180 CE) a Greek writer who provided detailed accounts of ancient dance in his works
• Domenico da Piacenza (1400-1470) an Italian dancing master credited with codifying and teaching court dances
  • Wrote the treatise "De arte saltandi et choreas ducendi" on dance technique and theory
• Guglielmo Ebreo da Pesaro (1420-1484) an Italian dancing master who contributed to the development of ballet
  • Trained in the court of Lorenzo de' Medici and wrote influential dance manuals
• Thoinot Arbeau (1519-1595) a French cleric and author of "Orchésographie," a comprehensive study of Renaissance dance
• Fabritio Caroso (1526/1535-1605/1620) an Italian dancing master known for his manuals on court dance etiquette and technique
  • Published "Il Ballarino" (1581) and "Nobiltà di Dame" (1600)

Performance Spaces and Occasions

• Ancient Egyptian temples and palaces served as venues for ritual and ceremonial dances
  • Performed during festivals honoring deities and pharaohs
• Greek theaters, such as the Theater of Dionysus in Athens, hosted dance performances integrated with plays and choruses
• Roman amphitheaters and public spaces accommodated large-scale dance spectacles and entertainments
  • Colosseum in Rome and Pompeii's theaters
• Medieval courts and great halls provided settings for aristocratic dance gatherings and banquets
  • Dancers showcased their skills and social graces
• Religious spaces (churches, cathedrals) incorporated liturgical and devotional dances
  • Performed during masses, processions, and feast days
• Outdoor spaces (village squares, fields) hosted community celebrations and folk dance events
  • May Day festivities and harvest celebrations

Legacy and Impact on Modern Dance

• Ancient and medieval dances laid the foundation for the development of classical ballet and modern dance forms
• Court dances of the Renaissance evolved into the elaborate ballets of the Baroque era
  • Influenced by the works of dancing masters like Beauchamp and Feuillet
• Folk dances preserved cultural traditions and inspired the creation of national dance styles
  • Examples include Irish step dance, Spanish flamenco, and Eastern European folk dances
• Ritual and sacred dances continue to be practiced in various cultures worldwide
  • Balinese temple dances, Native American pow wows, and Afro-Brazilian Candomblé
• Elements of ancient and medieval dances can be seen in contemporary choreography and performance art
  • Martha Graham's use of Greek mythology and Isadora Duncan's barefoot, free-flowing style
• Scholarly research and reconstruction efforts aim to preserve and revive historical dance forms
  • Dance historians, anthropologists, and practitioners collaborate to maintain this rich heritage