Traditional Dances in your country?

[AbsoluteIce]

Over here in Malaysia, we have a traditional dance called 'Ulek Mayang', in the song, Ulek Mayang, there are 7 'puteri's' or princesses, who rescues a Malay prince and brought him back to life from the sea. However, theres a catch, if you put the princesses in order from 1 to 7 and sing about the song in that fashion, theres a legend that those 7 princesses will come to you and drag you to the sea to meet their 'loved one', which is the Prince that got drowned. What about you guys? Do you have a traditional dance in your country that has an intresting backstory to it?

(if you're curious about the Ulek Mayang song, here you go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inqLY39ynUw)

[Acolyte]

The United States has a traditional dance commonly referred to as the "Wyemsiay". In the song, there are four 'vieros', or villagers, that dress up in costumes reminiscent of different professions and/or historical figures. The dance consists of using one's arms to shape certain symbols in order to appease the villagers. Some say that if a man performs the dance well enough, the villagers come to take the man as their new husband.

[modern algebra]

In Canada, there is a dance called the "Hokey Pokey". It is usually performed by a group of children in a ring, and with each verse the participants move a part of their body into the circle, shake violently, then withdraw. After each verse, the children proclaim "That's what it's all about." The dance ends with them throwing their entire body into the ring, convulsively shaking and spinning.

It was originally created by a group of draft dodging hippies* as a celebration of socialism: moving your body in and out of the circle represents what you are giving to the collective, and finally you become part of the collective with the final verse when you give your entire body to it. The refrain, "that's what it's all about" was meant to be a pledge that you would devote your entire life to creating a utopian socialist society on earth.

It was originally viewed as supportive of communism, and was suppressed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in the early 70s. Over this time period, several men and women were charged with the criminal offence of "corrupting the youth" for teaching this dance to children. However, it eventually evolved into a popular children's game, and is no longer viewed as subversive in the least. Most people are not even aware of its controversial history.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLqENbb7jLM


(I actually think your country's dance seems pretty neat AbsoluteIce. I'd like to see it some day. Are there any videos on youtube?)

*If you're unfamiliar with the term, a hippie is someone who rejects conventional standards of living and advocates a philosophy of liberalism. It was very popular in the 60s and 70s, and they protested the Vietnam war. Many came to Canada to avoid the military draft. Today, the movement is largely characterized by their rejection of the conventional standard of bathing.

[IAMFORTE]

In Canada, there is a dance called the "Hokey Pokey"....

Don't forget the Saftey Dance

[haloOfTheSun]

In Mexico we have a traditional dance that we call the Macarena.

[AbsoluteIce]

In Canada, there is a dance called the "Hokey Pokey". It is usually performed by a group of children in a ring, and with each verse the participants move a part of their body into the circle, shake violently, then withdraw. After each verse, the children proclaim "That's what it's all about." The dance ends with them throwing their entire body into the ring, convulsively shaking and spinning.

It was originally created by a group of draft dodging hippies* as a celebration of socialism: moving your body in and out of the circle represents what you are giving to the collective, and finally you become part of the collective with the final verse when you give your entire body to it. The refrain, "that's what it's all about" was meant to be a pledge that you would devote your entire life to creating a utopian socialist society on earth.

It was originally viewed as supportive of communism, and was suppressed by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau in the early 70s. Over this time period, several men and women were charged with the criminal offence of "corrupting the youth" for teaching this dance to children. However, it eventually evolved into a popular children's game, and is no longer viewed as subversive in the least. Most people are not even aware of its controversial history.

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLqENbb7jLM


(I actually think your country's dance seems pretty neat AbsoluteIce. I'd like to see it some day. Are there any videos on youtube?)

*If you're unfamiliar with the term, a hippie is someone who rejects conventional standards of living and advocates a philosophy of liberalism. It was very popular in the 60s and 70s, and they protested the Vietnam war. Many came to Canada to avoid the military draft. Today, the movement is largely characterized by their rejection of the conventional standard of bathing.

Wow, i've heard of the hokey pokey, but I never knew that it was viewed that it would support communism. 
Also, MA, if you'd like to see the Ulek Mayang dance, here you go (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NortjjlsjQY)

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

In Mexico we have a traditional dance that we call the Macarena.

I thought you were a sex education teacher in Poland or something.

the more u know!

[modern algebra]

That's quite a beautiful dance AbsoluteIce!

Also, not everything that I said about the hokey pokey is true in the strictest sense of "accurately corresponds to reality." But I'd like it to be, and that's what counts.

There are likely some traditional dances among some of the First Nations here, but I haven't actually seen any so I am afraid I'd be quite useless at describing them.


@Lord Stark - Are you saying Mexicans can't visit Poland? Racism much?!?!?!?!?!?! 

[AbsoluteIce]

That's quite a beautiful dance AbsoluteIce!

Also, not everything that I said about the hokey pokey is true in the strictest sense of "accurately corresponds to reality." But I'd like it to be, and that's what counts.

Be careful not to play that song at the beach at night, though. Another legend says that the princesses will bring the drowned prince to come and drag you to the depths of the sea to feast on your very flesh 

[modern algebra]

I'd like to think that the princesses' jurisdiction doesn't extend to Atlantic Canada.

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

@Lord Stark - Are you saying Mexicans can't visit Poland? Racism much?!?!?!?!?!?! 

No, that's not what I'm saying. :\
I'm saying that the filthy Polish should stay away from Mexico.

[AbsoluteIce]

@Lord Stark - Are you saying Mexicans can't visit Poland? Racism much?!?!?!?!?!?! 

No, that's not what I'm saying. :\
I'm saying that the filthy Polish should stay away from Mexico.

Who knew the Polish were filthy, eh?

[haloOfTheSun]

In Mexico we have a traditional dance that we call the Macarena.

I thought you were a sex education teacher in Poland or something.

the more u know!

What I love tacos

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

dont we all?

[modern algebra]

In the Polish language, "tacó" has two definitions:

(1) a nail clipper;
(2) a basket.

[Malson]

twerking

[AbsoluteIce]

twerking

But everyone twerks nowadays, Malson. 

[tSwitch]

Mabuhay Shuffle.

[Sophist]

Texas TWO STEP


YEEHAW PARDNER

[yuyu!]

I was beaten to the punch by Jesus himself

[Sophist]

the early bird catches the worm

[&&&&&&&&&&&&&]

The chicken dance.

[yt] 6UV3kRV46Zs [/yt]