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Physical Education Department

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Physical Education Department

Central Mindanao University
www.cmu.edu.ph
[email protected]

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UNIT 1

INTRODUCTION TO DANCE
TIME ALLOTMENT

This unit will be discussed for four (4) hours, equivalent to two (2) weeks.

INTRODUCTION

Dance is the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music

within a given space, for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion,
releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself. Dance is a
powerful impulse, but the art of dance is that impulse channeled by skillful
performers into something that becomes intensely expressive and that may
delight dance. (Domingo et.al, 2009)

Dance is an art form that shows expressions and is really involved with
movement. Dance is normally for fun and entertainment. You usually dance
to music. It is not possible to say when this form of art originated; however, it
started thousands of years ago. Dance may be participatory, social,
performed, ceremonial, or competitive. It is an important part of ceremonies,
rituals, celebrations, and entertainment. Choreography may be performed
solo, with a partner, or with a group; either way, each dance tells a story.

This course will provide physical activities for the purpose of optimizing
health and fitness. Students will be provided with opportunities through
performing Folk dance to maintain and improve the health and well-being.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this unit the students should:

1. demonstrate deep understanding of the history and nature of dance
and folkdance;
2. define basic terms used in dance;
3. explain the different purposes of dance; and
4. identify benefits of dances (folkdance).

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DANCE

BRIEF HISTORY OF DANCE

Dance does not leave behind clearly identifiable physical artifacts such as
stone tools, hunting implements or cave painting. It is not possible to say when
dance became part of human culture. Dance has certainly been an important part
of ceremony, rituals celebrations and entertainment since befo0r the birth of the
earliest human civilizations. Archaeology delivers traces of dance from
PREHISTORIC TIMES such as Egyptian tomb painting depicting dancing figures from
circa 3300 B.C and the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka paintings in India.
One of the earliest structures uses of dance may have been in the
performance and telling of myths. Before the introduction of written languages,
dance was one of the methods of passing these stories from generation to
generation.
It is not known when people began to dance, so it is possible that dance
developed along with the evolution of our species. Written and visual evidence of
dance has survived from ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Civilization.
Dance often occurs at rites of passage, or ceremonies performed when an
individual passes from one role to another. Dance may also be part of courtship,
worship and or work.
Dance can be seen among all the people and civilizations of the world.
Dances thrived at periods of history and mostly were a result of intercultural
contact. (Alenjandro and Santos-Gana, 2002). It has been a major form of religious
ritual and social expression within primitive cultures.
The first use of dance was a gesture in order to communicate. People from
PRE-HISTORIC ERA performed ways they hoped would appease the forces of
nature or give them new powers of their own. Dance has been a major form of
religious ritual and social expression within primitive cultures. It is:
 was used as way of expressing and reinforcing tribal unity and strength;
 as an approach for courtship and mating;
 as means of worship;
 communication; and
 therapeutic experience.

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ANCIENT EGYPT
Dance became full blown and was richly
recorded, it was reflected in their wall paintings,
reliefs, and the literary record in “hieroglyphs”.
(a written character that looks like a picture)
most of the dances during this era were chiefly
a medium of religious expression rites of
passage, ceremonies passing one role to
Dance during the Ancient Egypt another.

ANCIENT GREEK
Dance was taught as an aid to
military education among the boys in
Athens and Sparta. During this time dance
was not only just for religious and military
training but also as a form of
entertainment and display.
Dance during the Ancient Greek

ANCIENT ROME
During this time, dance was given less
important because most performers were
slaves and captives. It stopped valuing such
qualities in art as the nation grew wealthy and
powerful. Romans ceased to create and
perform within the arts. Dance became brutal
and sensationalized as their entertainers were
Dance during the Ancient Rome slaves and captives from many nationalities
and was used more often for gruesome
purposes. (Causing horror or disgust, awful;
monstrous) dance became an integral part of
the corruption in the latter days of the Roman
empire, resulting in the condemnation of
dance by the early Christians..

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DARK AND MIDDLE AGES
The development of the Catholic Church in Europe following the fall of Rome
transformed the history of dance. During this time, the Church was the sole
custodian of learning and education as well as the source of morals. When the first
Christian Emperors came, theatrical entertainment was prohibited. However dance
still existed and performed within the church during religious ceremonies. Christian
fathers . Dances then became part of worships and church services. Some singers,
dancers, poets, actors, musicians and jugglers continued to wander during the Dark
and Early Middle Ages. They performed Village squares, Castles and Chateaus of
Feudal Lords. At the same time, common people also amused themselves by doing
dances that were social in character.
This marked the beginning of social dance.
The Peasants performed 2 basic types of dance:
1. The round dance – dancers hold each other by hand, forming a long
chain and move about in an open/closed circle/extended line.
2. The couple dance – was not popular as round dance as it was
considered scandalous when first seen.

AGE OF CHIVALRY
Nobility followed the peasants’ lead in dancing but in a more refined and
courtly form. Court dances emerged as part of the chivalric way of life because of
noblemen’s and women’s nature of clothing and elaborate accessories. Dance
steps were limited to gliding, curtseying, and posing as they were not able to move
freely. Noblemen danced in smooth floor or wood or polished marble called the
“Ballroom” while the Peasants’ dances in contrast, have large movements and
wide-stepping figures due to less elaborate costumes allowing bigger movements.
They danced also on the grass or on the beaten earth of the town.

EARLY RENAISSANCE
Dance then was wholly accepted in
the courts as gradual increase of the
Capitalist class produced patrons of
learning and art in Europe. Dance and art
gained impetus (driving force; impulse)
entertainers became valuable appendage
to the courts of Italy and France and they
were to serve the secular goals of the
wealthy and powerful nobles who had
Early Renaissance
emerged throughout Europe.

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A vast dance movement occurred throughout the courts of Europe in the
15th and 16th centuries. During this time new court dances performed by the
nobility came about as well as the rise of the art of Ballet in Italy and France. Several
other dance forms continued to sprout and spread across several countries.
Contemporary dances followed after ballet, in which stylistic variations of ballet
emerged and evolved in Europe and so other dances came to light and have been
widely recognized worldwide.

PURPOSES OF DANCE
 Three purposes of Dance
 Ceremonial Dance - Dancing to show praise or to commemorate important
events. Ceremonial dance is dance performed through ritual.

Some ceremonial dances are religious; some are performed for birthdays,
weddings or other life-altering events

 Recreational Dance – A dance to have fun or to socialize. Recreational

dance styles change with time, societal structures, and group interests.

Examples:
Aerobic dance;
Line dancing--(Electric Slide or Boot Scootin’ Boogie);
Ballroom Dancing– (Waltz, Foxtrot, Jitterbug, Swing, Latin, Cha-Cha,
Merenque, and Salsa)
 Artistic Dance – Movement that is performed to entertain an audience.

Example – Ballet, Tap, Modern, and Jazz

Dancing is one of the oldest and most popular forms of exercise.

- Several forms of dancing are considered aerobic since they entail about an
hour of continuous exercises, choreographed to music.

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SPECIFIC BENEFITS OF DANCE AND ITS CREATIVE MOVEMENTS
A. PHYSICAL
 Develops cardiovascular and muscular endurance
 Improves coordination, balance, flexibility and body composition
 Lowers risk of cardiovascular diseases
 Lowers body mass index
 Lowers resting heart rate
 Improves lipid metabolism
 Enables joint mobility (hip motion and spine flexibility)
 Helps improve and maintain bone density, thus helps prevent osteoporosis
 Helps recover coordination and neuromuscular skills after injury.

B. MENTAL/EMOTIONAL
 Helps keep the brain sharp
 Decreases incidence of dementia (insanity, lunacy) and Alzheimer’s
disease.
 Decreases depressive symptoms
 Increase self-esteem and improves body image
 Aids in releasing emotional and physical tension.

C. SOCIAL
 Gives sense of togetherness within the group
 Encourages positive social interaction and interpersonal relationship in a
group
 Contributes to the individual’s potential for self-actualization in society

D. CULTURAL
 Promotes cultural values
o Bing able to showcase the different cultural dances and understand the
lives of the people represented and to an appreciation of their
respective folk cultures)

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PHILIPPINE FOLKDANCE

HISTORY AND NATURE OF fOLKDANCE

Timeline (History)
FRANCISCA REYES-AQUINO was given a task by
Dr. Jorge Bacobo, President of UP, to present a
program of Philippine folk dances for some
foreign visitors.
The problem was the limited number of
documented folk dances (mostly done by
foreign ethnologists) especially those coming
from the lowland regions.
The American period, with the rapid influx or
westernization that threatened to modify the
1921
lifestyles and cultures of the Filipinos.
The treat of American culture also affected the
state of traditional fewer because they
neglected the traditional forma in the favor of
Americans imports like films, baseball,
vaudeville, cakewalk and Charleston.
Faced with such challenges, the young Francisca
encouraged by Dr. Bacobo, undertook the task
of collecting and documenting the remaining
folk dances of the country.
AQUINO made a collection of new folk songs,
dances and games which became the contents
of her Master’s thesis which also began dance
notation in the country.
1924-1926 The work was revised and published into a book
entitled Philippine Folk Dances and Games.
The University Of The Philippines Folk Songs And
Dance Troupe was organized to test and
perform the documented dances.
Organized the Philippine Folk Dance Society
which aimed to promote the development and
teaching of folk dances. To this very day, the
1949
PFDS is actively conducting the Annual Folk
Dance Workshop for teachers and dance
enthusiasts and its Regional and Provincial

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Chapters conducting Echo Seminar-Workshops
all over the country.
Many of the folk dances taught in school today
are the results of the efforts of the society to
document more unpublished folk dances with
its host of dance ethnographers like Crisostomo
Barrera (Iloilo), Mila Janson (Cebu), Ceasar
Nimor (Cebu), Edwin Masangkay (Aklan), Elsie
Padeo (Mt. Province), Estelita Aquino (South
Cotabato), Juan Miel (Samar), and Ramon
Obusan (ROFG of Pasay City). The latter is
considered the most prolific ethnographer to
date.
This original Philippine folk dance group sprang
1954
the Philippine Women’s University Dance Group
Lucresia Reyes Urtula established the
1957 predecessor of the world-famous Bayanihan
Philippine National Dance Company
Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe (1946) - Philippine
Normal University
UP TO PRESENT UP Filipiniana - The University of the Philippines
Larawan Dance Troupe which later changed its
name to Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG)

 FRANCISCA REYES-AQUINO
o a student assistant then instructor at the University of the Philippines,
Physical Education Department
o The results of all their works became part of the Physical Education
Program of the Philippines.
 LUCRESIA REYES URTULA
o director and choreographer
 Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG)
o a host of other school-based groups all over the country – all with the
mission of continuing the brilliant began by Madame Aquino.

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GEOGRAPHY AND NATURE OF FOLK DANCE

1. National Dance
 These are the traditional dance throughout the Philippine with a
common basic movement or pattern but with a slight variation.
 Examples are:
o Cariñosa,
o Kuratsa,
o balitaw,
o Rigodon,
o Pandango, and
o Surtido
2. Local or Regional Dance
 These are dances found in certain localities or regions only.
 Examples are:
o Esperanza (Nabua, Camarines Sur)
o Alcamfor (Leyte)
o Rogelia (La Union)
o Maglalatik (San Pablo, Laguna)
o Biniganbigat (Abra)
3. Occupational Dance
 These are dances that depict actions characterizing certain
occupations, industries, and phases of human labor.
 Examples are:
o Pabiric (Camarines Sur) - A dance which depicts the different
stages of gold planning
o Manangete (Tuba Gatherer) - It depicts the different movements
and actions of a tuba gatherer from the sharpening of his
sanggot (scythe) to climb the coconut tree and finally taste the
native wine. Tuba is the liquid dripping from the coconut bud.
o Kin-aras (Cabugao, Ilocos Sur) - A dance that depicts the different
stages in catching mudfish in fields, mud holes, brooks, and
ditches.
o Rice festival has the largest number of dances. It starts with
pagtatanim (rice planting).
o When the grains are ripe, the paggapas (Rice Harvesting) follows,
o Paggiik (Rice Threshing) which separates the grain from the
stalks.
o Paglulugas (rice flailing) is another way of threshing with the use
of Toika.
o Pahang in (Airing) is a process of separating the grains from the
chaff.
o Bayuhan (pounding rice) removes the husk from the grain and
then,
o Pagtatahip (winnowing rice) separates the husk from the grain.
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4. Religious dance
 These are dances that are performed in connection with religious vows,
practices and ceremonies. A religious dance may be performed to:
o Drive away evil spirits like the Sinulog
o Ask a favor to have child like Santa Clarang Pinong Pino
o Give thanks for having recovered from sickness, for favors
granted as Dugso, and for vows fulfilled
5. Courtship dance
 These are dances performed by newlyweds, with love themes.
 Examples are Halehele, Bago Quire, Rogelia Lulay, Aringguinding
guinding, maramion
6. Wedding Dance
 These are dances that are performed by newlyweds, by friends and
relation of the bride and groom or by the father of the bride and
mother of the groom.
 Examples are:
o Sinurog - a dance wherein the male dancers, beat drums, by
shout dance, perform stunts or anything to drive evil spirits that
may harm the newlyweds unhappy.
o Pandang pandang (Antique) - a dance only by the bride and
groom and the friends and the relatives of each side compete as
to who can throw more coin or paper bills to the dancing
newlyweds.
o Soryano (Aninig Antique) - a dance only by bride and groom as
they visit the parents of the bride to ask for her hand.
o Pantomine (Bicol Regions) - a dance by the bride and groom and
the visitors give any gift in kind or cash.
7. Festival Dances
 These dances are performed in connection with these celebrations, a
feast, a barrio fiesta, good harvest and good fortune.
 Examples are Kuratsa, Zapateado, and La Jota.
8. War Dances
 These dances intended to show imaginary combat or duel with the use
of fighting implements like the bolo, kris, and spear.
 Examples are:
o Sagayan (Maranao)
o Inabaknon (Aeta),
o Hegrito Duel; and,
o war dances ( Mts. of Zambales and Bataan).
o Maglalatik - this is very interesting dance depicting the fight
between the Christian and the Moros over the tasty “latik” (the
residue of boiled coconut milk). Coconut shells tied and well
spread over the body are used as fighting instrument.
9. Comic Dances
 These are the dances with funny and humorous movements mainly
intended for entertainment.

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 Examples are:
o Mokongo - where the dancers imitate the movement of the
monkey.
o Kinoton - where the dancers imitate the movements of the
person bitten by bees while gathering honey.
10.Game Dances
 These are dances that have some play elements and are for
recreational purposes.
 Examples are Pabo, Sineñahan and Lubi-lubi

SUGGESTED PHILIPPINE FOLK DANCES

NAME
Palok
Singkil
Pangalay
Dugso
Estudiantina
Alcamfor
Polkabal
Jota Gumagueña
Cariñosa
Jota Rizal
Mazurka Boholana
Pandanggo sa Ilaw
Subli
Polka sa Nayon
Tinikling

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REFERENCES

Andin and Basobas, Rhythms and Dances (1980)

Andin, Carmen. Handbook of Rhythmic Activities (1980)
Aquino,Francisca R. Handbook of Rhythmic Activities (1980)
Aquino,Francisca R. Philippine Folk Dances Vol. I – IV
Domingo, J. Alonte, Co, A. Alonte, Cong-O, Garcia, Nimor, Janson, Nazuel.
Physical Education II Beginners Dance Book (2009)

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