Dance can be used for different purposes regardless of skill. Even though the primary objective of dance is usually sharing, dance can be used for various purposes such as religious, social, and theatrical. Religious dances are typically done for goals of worship, festivities, and a way of passage or general religious ceremonies. The primary aim of religious types of dance is communication. Secondly, a social dance’s target is to make sure everyone is involved. The necessary steps of social dance are usually simplified in the sense that they can be performed by everybody or in large groups. Lastly, theatrical dance particularly targets the audience and is generally rehearsed. The steps in a theatrical dance require some specific level of skills, and its principal objective is to entertain the audience.
The social dance is relatable to the slave-founded dances that were of African origin. Most slaves were forced by their rulers to dance when they were in the Middle Passage in order to entertain the crew, leaders, and visitors. Even though they were forbidden to dance during working hours, the slaves still participated in their cultural practices, which included dance. Many historical dances were formed through a blend of both western and African traditional dances. Even though this type of dancing was prohibited and shrugged upon, a profound interest made many people adopt this kind of dance after Emancipation.
An example of a cultural dance that developed from a specific culture is step dancing from the ancient and traditional Irish practices. The Irish step dance emanated from Irish classical music and other external influences, which include the English way of country dancing and the French quadrilles. The dance was taught across Ireland by some traveling dance tutors between the 18th and 19th centuries. The Irish culture has shaped this kind of dance in the sense that the dancers wear custom made traditional costumes. It is also accompanied by classical Irish music and Irish musical instruments.
References
Akombo, D. (2016). The Integration of Dance in the World. McFarland.
Wulff, H. (2018). Anthropology of Irish Step Dancing. The International Encyclopedia of Anthropology, 1-9.