Folk dance

Folk dances are dances developed by groups of people that reflect the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances; for example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "Religious dances" because of their purpose.

The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones. If some dances, such as polka, cross ethnic boundaries and even cross the boundary between "folk" and "ballroom dance", ethnic differences are often considerable enough to mention, e.g., Czech polka vs. German polka.

Background

They share some or all of the following attributes:

  • Dances are usually held at folk dance gatherings or social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditional music.
  • Dances not generally designed for public performance or the stage, though they may later be arranged and set for stage performances.
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    Latest News for: folk dances

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    Still resounding: Sounds of Suggi Kunitha

    Deccan Herald 03 Apr 2025
    <em>Suggi</em> is a folk dance, mainly associated with the Halakki community in Uttara Kannada district ... folk dance originated as a blessing from Shiva, one in the trinity of Hindu deities.
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    Sandpoint pianists Melody Puller and Matt Goodrich look to Latin America for concert series

    Inlander 03 Apr 2025
    "I absolutely fell in love with the Allende pieces because they're simultaneously very Chilean — they have the folk song and folk dance elements to them — but they're also very impressionistic in the French tradition.
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    PM Modi thanks Indian diaspora in Thailand, calls Thai Ramayana 'enriching experience'

    International Business Times 03 Apr 2025
    Upon reaching his hotel, he was greeted with a vibrant Garba performance, a folk dance from his home state of Gujarat ... Taking to X, PM Modi posted, "Grateful for the warm welcome by the Indian community in Bangkok ... (With inputs from IANS). Also Read ... .
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    Connecticut Lyric Opera presents 'Love, Loss, Exile'

    The Day 03 Apr 2025
    Other works on Friday’s program at Conn College will include Béla Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances and André Previn and Toni Morrison’s “Four Songs,” a fusion of poetry and music. Local connections ... Who.
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    Things to do in the San Fernando Valley, LA area, April 3-10

    LA Daily News 03 Apr 2025
    The Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 ... Hours ... Hart — with three music stages (cowboy, country, folk, bluegrass performances), living history areas, line dance lessons, a pioneer activities corner, food and vendors, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
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    Danda Nata organisers worry over night loudspeaker ban

    The Times of India 02 Apr 2025
    Danda Nata, a popular seasonal folk dance in Ganjam district, is held to appease Lord Shiva and Devi Shakti ... After Agni Danda, another group performs theatre to entertain the people, with committees hiring artists for dancing.
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    SZ-Shanwei expressway’s service area becomes tourist hospot

    Shenzhen Daily 02 Apr 2025
    Travelers gather to take group photos yesterday in front of murals depicting Yingge dance — an ancient warrior folk dance from the Chaoshan region ...
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    ‘What are we doing?’: Olive Garden waitress serves food to table of young girls. Then ...

    The Daily Dot 02 Apr 2025
    'Dance Moms' ... Like, very like, 'Dance Moms,' whatever." ... Furthermore, folks from the Dance Moms culture have expressed they've developed eating disorders by being a part of this particular world.
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    Concerts scheduled at Valley City State University

    The Jamestown Sun 02 Apr 2025
    VALLEY CITY, N.D ... Robinson Center for the Arts ... Tuesday, April 8 ... ADVERTISEMENT ... Grant. The Woodwind Ensemble, under the direction of Katrina Clements, is performing three pieces which include a suite titled Romanian Folk Dances by Bela Bartok ... 6h ago ... .
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    Enjoy Special Musical Events at Schermerhorn Symphony Center This Month

    Nashville Pride 02 Apr 2025
    Kinsfolknem Quartet clinicians include ... Nashville Symphony ... Joan Huang masterfully blends Chinese folk music with Western compositional techniques in a vibrant work inspired by the rhythmic ritual dance traditions of the Tujia people of western Hunan.
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    Gangaur Yatra in Jaipur amazes visitors with undimmed grandeur

    The Times of India 01 Apr 2025
    Folk artistes mesmerised the crowd with performances of Kachhi Ghodi, Gair, Kalbeliya and puppet dance while impersonators in traditional attire entertained spectators with their dramatic portrayals.
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    FALLING INTO STEP

    Billings Gazette 01 Apr 2025
    Sanna Longden and Clint Seely were in their 70s when they met in 2016 at a dance at the annual Door County Folk Festival in Wisconsin. She had traveled from Evanston, Illionis, and he was local to the area. The ... .
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    Veteran musician Vũ dies at 89

    Vietnam News 01 Apr 2025
    After school, he worked for the Southern Music and Dance Troupe.&nbsp;He played different instruments and researched folk music of the South. .
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    Wish all take lessons from tribal communities, says Prez Murmu on 'Sarhul' festival

    Suryaa 01 Apr 2025
    "With the tinkling of Jhumar dance, resonance of folk songs, captivating beats of Mandar, and the wonderful decoration of the Akhara venue, Jharkhand Tourism Department wishes you all a very happy ...
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    'Wish all take lessons from tribal communities': Prez Murmu on 'Sarhul' spring festival

    International Business Times 01 Apr 2025
    "With the tinkling of Jhumar dance, resonance of folk songs, captivating beats of Mandar, and the wonderful decoration of the Akhara venue, Jharkhand Tourism Department wishes you all a very happy ...
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