Why People Dance?

When it comes to dance there are many reasonsthe past.
that different people in different cultures spanningNative American Tribal Dances
the globe choose to dance. This article will exploreIt is also worth noting that what has become
some of the many reasons that people dance aroundcommonly referred to as war dances by Native
the world and perhaps provide new incentives forAmerican tribes are quite possibly the very same
you to dance your way through your days as well.weapons dances that have such a long and noble
Dancing for Religionhistory around the world. Individual tribes had their
Many religions around the world and throughoutown dances that were used when preparing to battle
history have used dance in praise of their deities, inwith other tribes, preparing for a big hunt, or
celebration of the seasons, and simply as an outwardpreparing to defend themselves against constant
expression of joy. Christianity has mixed emotionsinvasion and relocation.
when it comes to dance. Some religions feel that allWar, or imminent battle was not the only reason that
manner of social dance can lead to forbidden actionsNative American tribes danced however. Dance held
or thoughts and tend to frown upon dance in generalan important role in the worshipping of various gods
as a result while other Christian religions believe thatas well as tribal ceremonies or individual expressions
there is a time, place, and purpose for dancing. Someof prayer, grief, joy, or simply of embracing nature
have even incorporated dancing into their religiousand become one with the world around them. Dance
ceremonies (weddings as one example). Most willis essential to Native American heritage and culture.
agree that dance is a matter of personal convictionFor Native American dance, the beat of the drum is
within the Christian religion because of the heatedan essential component. It is the drumbeat that
debates that can arise on the topic.drives the pace and the intensity of the dance.
The Hindu religion dance is an essential form ofCompetitive Dance
worshipping the various aspects of the Divine. ThisAround the world there are those that dance
form of dance is often mistakenly referred to ascompetitively in all forms of dance. From recreational
Classical Indian Dance though in reality it is a form offorms of dancing to spiritual forms of dancing the
worship. There are different dances for the differentcompetitions are fierce and the competitors quite
deities as every god has a different preference.often dedicate their lives and the vast majority of
Even the religion of Islam has its own version oftheir free time to honing and perfecting their
dancing for worship. Those who practice this form ofparticular forms of dance. In competitive dance there
dance for the sake of worship are often referred toare judges who judge artistic expression, technical
as Whirling Dervishes.skills, costumes, and the uniformity or execution of
The Weapon Dancemovements. Those who dance competitively must
This is a form of dance that has a long history datingbe committed to their craft in order to remain
back to Spartan warriors preparing for battle. Thiscompetitive.
style of dance has been used throughout history andOf course some people dance simply because they
around the world by many nations and cultures aswant to and there is certainly nothing wrong with
preparation, training, and raising morale for imminentthat. There is really no bad reason to dance unless
battle. Though no longer widely practiced, andyou are being forced to do so against your will.
certainly not as a precursor to battle, the history andOtherwise when it comes to dance, the best reason
ceremony of the Weapon Dance is not to beto dance is because the music leaves you no other
forgotten and still practiced in ceremonial eventsoption but to dance.
today to honor the way things have been done in