Full Description
To understand the dance is to understand the human heart. Dance is one mode of expression that not only transcends any minor biological differences, it simultaneously paints a picture of cultural diversity and cultural unity. Modern cultures may dance to electronic music and record it on technology that amazes even the most techno-savvy mind, but the human heart and the motivation for the dance has not changed.
Dance is the perfect poetic expression of humankind's unity and diversity. Human nature is based on needs, wants, fears, dreams, and desires; these emotional states are the heart and soul of humans, and the dance is the visual, physical, and mental expression of those emotional states.
Dancing from the Heart examines people in the context of their deepest commonalities and their unique expression of those needs through dance. It attempts to look at the cultures of the world from a combination of anthropological, psychological, neurophysiological, and artistic perspectives. Although every culture offers a unique dance style, the common emotional themes and drives transcend the individual and are crosscultural. The study of the dance is the perfect vehicle to gain an appreciation of cultural diversity and human unity.
Contents
Preface
Section 1
Chapter 1 Dance: Its Definition
Chapter 2 Dance and Human Commonalities
Section 2
Chapter 3 Overview: Dance as Ritual, Art, and Socialization
Chapter 4 Dance as Ritual: Dancing Out of Fear, Gratitude, Thankfulness, Honor, Power, and Joy
Chapter 5 Dance as Art and Entertainment
Chapter 6 Dance as Socialization: Dancing for Affection and Bonding
Section 3
Chapter 7 Overview: Asian Dance
Chapter 8 Bali
Chapter 9 Taiwan
Chapter 10 Japan
Chapter 11 Korea, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam
Chapter 12 Western Asia: Uzbekistan and India
Section 4
Chapter 13 Pacific Islanders: Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga, and Tahiti
Section 5
Chapter 14 Overview: Dances of the African Continent
Chapter 15 Uganda and Liberia
Chapter 16 Ghana
Chapter 17 Malawi and Zimbabwe
Chapter 18 South Africa
Section 6
Chapter 19 African Dance Arrives in America
Chapter 20 American Art and Entertainment: Tap
Chapter 21 American and Western European Art and Entertainment: Ballet and Modern Dance
Section 7
Chapter 22 Overview: Native Americans
Chapter 23 Dancing for Honor
Chapter 24 Latin America: Colombia, Peru, and the South American Indigenous Santo Daime?
Chapter 25 Dances of Mexico
Section 8
Chapter 26 Current Day Social Dances: Dancing for Bonding
Appendix
Index
