Folk and Ceremonial Dance

to have trouble keeping one's balance and be at the risk of falling

After spinning around rapidly, the dancer began to reel, struggling to regain their balance.

a fast couple dance in duple time that was developed in Bohemia in the 19th century

to dance, move, or skip with quick, lively steps

The group of friends decided to jig around the bonfire, adding a festive atmosphere to the celebration.

a traditional masked dance performed in Tibet and Bhutan, often associated with Buddhist religious ceremonies

a traditional solo dance with stiff upper body and lively footwork, often associated with sailors and British folk culture

The sailor performed a hornpipe on deck.

a traditional Scottish solo dance with fast footwork and raised arms, often performed in kilts

She performed the Highland fling at the competition.

a formal French dance in moderate duple time, popular in the 17th–18th centuries, with graceful, skipping steps

The nobles danced a gavotte at the royal ball.

a traditional English folk dance characterized by rhythmic stepping, intricate formations, and the use of bells, handkerchiefs, sticks, or swords as props

The troupe performed a lively morris dance at the festival.

a fast, lively Italian folk dance with quick steps and spinning movements

The couple performed a joyful tarantella at the wedding.

a traditional Bavarian and Austrian dance involving stomping, clapping, and slapping of the shoes and thighs

a Ukrainian folk dance known for its energetic and acrobatic movements, typically performed by male dancers

a traditional dance style from Ireland characterized by fast footwork, precise movements, and rhythmic patterns, often performed in solo or group settings

a traditional folk dance from the Black Sea region of Turkey known for its energetic and fast-paced movements

a traditional Scottish dance performed with a dirk, which is a type of Scottish dagger

a form of dance performed as part of a ceremonial or religious ritual, often with symbolic gestures and movements that hold cultural or spiritual significance

The indigenous tribe gathered around the sacred fire to perform a ritual dance, invoking the spirits of their ancestors for protection and guidance.

a form of expressive movement often associated with religious or spiritual practices, where dancers interpret and express messages or prophecies through their movements

a form of dance performed as part of a religious or worship ceremony with specific liturgical elements and symbolism

a traditional Maori dance characterized by vigorous movements, chanting, and facial expressions, often performed as a ceremonial challenge or war dance

a Japanese ritual dance performed as an offering to the gods, often involving music, chanting, and elaborate costumes

a ceremonial dance performed by warriors before battle, often to intimidate opponents or to prepare mentally for combat

The tribe's warriors gathered around the fire, chanting and performing their traditional war dance to psych themselves up for the impending battle.

a traditional dance where dancers perform intricate footwork while balancing eggs on spoons or other objects

a lively and communal style of dance, typically performed by couples in groups, featuring energetic movements and often accompanied by folk music

The village square was alive with the sounds of fiddles and laughter as locals gathered to enjoy a spirited country-dance.

a type of Canadian Métis dance characterized by lively fiddle music and intricate footwork

a slow, sensual Latin dance with Afro-Cuban roots, featuring hip movements and a 4/4 rhythm

They performed a passionate rhumba at the dance competition.

a traditional Italian folk dance originating from the Friuli region, often performed in a circle with lively music and intricate footwork

a Scottish country dance performed in sets of six dancers with various formations and lively steps to traditional Scottish music

a lively and fast-paced Scottish country dance characterized by quick steps, formations, and movements typically performed to traditional Scottish music

a traditional Scottish dance that originated in the early 20th century

a ceremonial dance performed by certain Native American tribes, believed to summon the spirits of the dead

The Lakota tribe performed the ghost dance as a way to reconnect with their ancestors and seek solace during times of hardship.

a traditional Ukrainian dance characterized by its lively and energetic movements, typically performed by male dancers with acrobatic leaps and kicks

a lively and energetic dance, often associated with country or folk music, typically characterized by stomping, clapping, and lively movements, often performed in a group or line formation

a traditional Hawaiian dance telling stories through graceful hand and hip movements

The dancer performed the hula at the luau.

a lively swing dance from the 1930s–40s, featuring fast, energetic movements and spins

They danced the jitterbug at the big band party.

a traditional fast-paced Ukrainian folk dance featuring squatting kicks and energetic movements

a traditional group dance, typically performed in sets, featuring specific figures and sequences, often associated with ballroom dancing

The ballroom erupted with excitement as dancers took their positions for the Lancers, gliding through the intricate figures with elegance and precision.

music in triple time for dancing the landler

a type of women's dress characterized by a fitted bodice and a draped overskirt gathered in three places, creating a pouf at the back

an ancient Greek war dance involving leaping movements, often performed with weapons

The warriors performed the pyrrhic before battle.

a slow, sensual Latin dance with hip movements, originating in Cuba

They danced a romantic rumba at the competition.

a partnered folk dance in 2/4 or 4/4 time, featuring hopping and gliding steps; popular in Europe and the Americas

They performed a lively schottische at the festival.

a ceremonial dance ritual characterized by a line of dancers moving in sinuous, winding patterns reminiscent of a snake's movements

The students formed a snake dance through the hallway.

music that is set to a Scottish slow dance in quadruple time, similar to a reel

a traditional dance form often performed in various cultures, typically involving intricate movements with swords or other bladed objects, symbolizing bravery, skill, or cultural heritage

The Scottish Highland sword dance, known as the "Gillie Callum," is a traditional solo dance performed by Highland dancers, typically accompanied by bagpipe music.

a lively American folk dance for couples in two facing lines, involving weaving and turning patterns

They ended the barn dance with a Virginia reel.

to make it so that nothing can move through something

After the heavy rain, leaves and debris tended to clog the gutters.

a social folk dance where couples form two long lines and perform coordinated moves, common in North America

They enjoyed the lively contra dance at the community hall.

a type of dance that involves the use of sticks or poles as props or percussion instruments, often seen in cultural or folk dances from various regions around the world