Throughout human existence, civilizations and communities have formed distinct rhythms and songs to which they dance in an even more unique manner. The following are different styles of this most primitive mode of human expression, as it continues to have influence beyond political and linguistic boundaries. To better enjoy the essence of each dance, press play before reading each paragraph:
Raqs Sharqi (Belly Dancing)
Made popular in the West during the 1940s, Raqs Sharqi (rocks SHARK-ee) is a traditional dance practiced originally in Egypt. There, it is seen as a poor way to making a living and most dancers are looked down upon. Despite such a reputation, Raq Sharqi has continued to make a great influence all over the world, as it’s commonly seen in burlesque shows as well as night clubs throughout the Middle East. The video above features Nagwa Fouad, one of the women responsible for bringing the art form to North America where the term “belly dancing” was coined.
Krumping
Krumping emerged from urban areas in the United States and then spread to Hip-Hop communities throughout the world. The style of dance is both highly expressive and improvisational. Used as a way to absolve anger and unrest, Krumping originally served as a peaceful alterative to those who might otherwise become gang-affiliated. Implementing elements of pop-lock (the dance style through which “the Robot” transpired), dancers move their arms, legs, chest, and feet in a powerful and spirited manner.
Buchaechum (Korean Fan Dance)
The groups of women who perform Buchaechum are supposed to represent the movement of flowers in the wind and the fluttering of butterflies, as well as the undulating tides of the ocean. While dressed in hanbok (traditional Korean garb), dancers express stylistic components that are deeply rooted in shamanic traditions (rituals, beliefs, practices of the Korean people). The usage of fans with pink peonies painted on them also characterizes much of the court entertainment seen under the Joseon Dynasty, though the true origins of the dance are unknown.
Gumboot
Gumboot is a dance style from South Africa that was created by black miners. During the years when racial segregation was prevalent in South Africa, black people were restricted to service and labor jobs. Because drumming was also looked down upon, miners started to use their boots as well as tin cans and bottles to make rhythmic expressions as they worked. Gumboot now represents its own genre of traditional South African dance. Performers dress-up in knee-high rubber boots (sometimes with bells) as well as construction hats, tank tops, and jump suits. People who tour the countryside in their car rental in South Africa have a good chance of seeing Gumboot street performers.
Flamenco
Flamenco comes from Andalusia in southern Spain. It is not just a dancing style; Flamenco is also a musical genre. The movements that characterize both the music and the dance are moody – intense at one moment then somber the next (as seen around minute one of the above video). Always accompanied by classical guitarists and singers who also clap, Flamenco dancers embody the music and represent the emotions therein.
The Dance of a Thousand Hands
Though this dance is not an authentic traditional dance, I couldn’t leave it out. Beautifully choreographed by Zhang Jigang, the Dance of a Thousand Hands tells the story of Bodhisattva, a proto-Buddha. As legend dictates, she cannot become a true Buddha as her Earthly convictions bind her to the mortal world. She vowed that if there is still a single tear left in the world, she will not become Buddha. The dancers in this video are all deaf and being lead by instructors at each corner of the stage.
Singing styles certainly make unique distinctions within a community’s heritage and culture. Varying from country to country, music changes and morphs as people incorporate their own techniques, rhythms, and styles. The following are a few examples of singing found throughout our diverse planet:
Cantu a tenore (Italy)
Cantu a tenore singing is a style of folk music that originates in Sardinia. Its traditional oral techniques can be traced back over 5,000 years. Each singer performs one of four parts: boke, bassu, cantra, or mea’oke; all of which resonate into a polyphonic culmination. The different elements in each tone are supposed to imitate the sound of the wind, the bleat of sheep, and the lowing of cows.
Throat Singing (Mongolia)
The origins of throat singing descend from traditions in western Mongolia. Today, the manner of song has evolved into many different styles and genres. By pushing air from the lungs through the pharynx, the singer can create a tone that resonates in the mouth cavity; there, it can then be amplified and molded selectively to create more than one pitch while still operating in a single frequency.
Collegiate-A cappella (US)
Collegiate-A cappella singing is a style of song that is most popular among college students in the United States though its popularity is increasing in other parts of the world. With no physical instruments, the singing groups are student-directed and run. Famously, the Dartmouth Aires (seen above) were finalist on the television series “The Sing-Off,” and have caused a surge in the popularity of Collegiate-A cappella all over the world.
Yodeling (Central Alps)
Switching from their lower “chest voice” to their higher falsetto, Yodelers rapidly belt tones in a high-low-high-low fashion in rapid succession. Characterized by its signature oh-di-lay-ee-ay sound, it was originally used as a form of communication between Alpine villages, slowly integrating into local folk music customs over the years. Today, the singing style is still very much popular both in Europe and the United States. Head to the high Alpine in your car rental in Zurich and participate in one of the frequent folk music festivals that show-off yodeling at its best.
In 1912, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the “Father of Black History,” became the second black man to graduate from Harvard University with a Ph.D. During his time at the institution he learned a lot about North American history, but noticed there was a clear omission of black contributions. Since slavery had been common place prior to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833 (UK) and Emancipation Proclamation 1863 (US) , black people were continually deprived of social status. Moreover, black families lost most, if not all of their heritage and family history as relatives were sold separately into the slave market.
Dr. Woodson was so compelled by the lack of black history throughout North America; he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and the Journal of Negro History both which remain active to this day under the name the Association for the Study of African American Life. In 1926, Dr. Woodson declared the first annual Negro History Week during the second week of February to correspond with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. African-Canadians, mostly those who worked on the railroad in Toronto, began to celebrate the occasion in the 1950′s. The evolution that transpired from Dr. Woodson’s efforts came to a head in the 60’s during the Civil Rights Movement.
Champions of the revolution such as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. lead national grassroots organizations that demanded change. They rebuked the status quo at the time which dictated that blacks and whites were “separate, but equal.” On August 28, 1969 around 250,000 people converged on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. (the largest in history) to stand up for equality and demand equal rights for everyone.
Government and law enforcement officials inferred that the protest (known as the March on Washington) was going to turn violent; much to their surprise, it did not. The assemblage of people not only remained peaceful, but chanted as they thrust signs in the air, showing their solidarity. Marching from Washington Monument, the group gathered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to hear speeches. The last person to address the crowd was Rev. Dr. King who abandoned his prepared text and went on to make what is known today as the “I Have a Dream” speech (a portion of which can be seen in the video below).
African-Candians and African-Americans continued to embrace their history into 1976, when the entire month of February was designated Black History Month; this was twenty-six years after Dr. Carter Woodson’s death. Today, Black History Month is a time to remember and commemorate the struggles and triumphs of black people. It’s a history that not only affects black people in Canada and the United State, but the world as a whole. Come to Washington, D.C. in your car rental to see the newly revealed Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial and learn more about how Black History affects everyone, aye.
