Full Description
Throughout history, humans have used dance as a benefit for mind, body, and soul. In some cases, governments or churches have banned certain dances for a variety of reasons. This work provides an exploration of dances banned around the world, then revived by a handful of brave proponents. The sixteen case studies--ranging from Argentina's Tango and Cambodia's Royal Classical Ballet to Brazil's Samba and Ireland's Step Dance--reveal the meaning of the dance to each culture and the importance of the art form to the creation of healthy sociological and political climates. Chapters detail each dance's origins, technical steps and movements, costumes, music, and political history, providing an informative overview of the oppression of dance culture through history.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.
Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
Part I. Ritual
1. Rekindling the Flame: The Revival of the Sadir Katcheri (Bharata Natyam)
2. "It Is a Strict Law That Bids Us Dance": The Kwakiutl Hamatsa Dance
3. Poetry in Motion: The Hula
4. We Are All on This Earth Together: The Plains Indians Sun Dance
5. The Churning of the Oceans: The Survival of the Khmer Classical Dance of Cambodia
6. Of Two Worlds: The Whirling Dervishes of Konya
Part II. Revival
7. A Better Way of Life: The Ghost Dance of the Plains Indians
8. "The Only People Can Shout Is Right Here": The Unbroken Chain of the Ring- Shout Dance
9. Visca Sardana! The Astronomical Dance of Catalonia
10. Capoeiristas: Righteous Avengers
11. The Raqs Sharqi (Belly Dance) Faces Trouble
Part III. Revelry
12. Bringing in the May
13. All's Well That Ends Well: The English Morris Dance
14. Feet on Fire: Irish Dance at the Crossroads
15. Sacred, Yet Profane: The Afro- Brazilian Batuque and Samba
16. It Takes Two to Tango!
Bibliography
Index
