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African Dance. African dance is different than Canadian dance because historically dance was not used for fun as much as dance was used for important cultural rituals. There are five main types of African dance.
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African dance is different than Canadian dance because historically dance was not used for fun as much as dance was used for important cultural rituals.
Warrior Dances are often performed at cultural events and at funerals. Dance movements mimic battlefield tactics such stabbing with the end of the horsetail. This dance consists of phrases of movements. These phrases are added back to back with slight variations within them, and make up the dance.
Dances of Love are performed on special accessions, such as weddings and anniversaries. One example is the Nmane dance preformed in Ghana. It is done solely by women during weddings in honor of the bride.
Dances of Welcome are a show of respect to visitors, as well as a show of how talented & attractive the host villagers are.
Rites of Passage and Coming of Age Dances are performed to mark the coming of age of young men and women. They give confidence to the dancers who have to perform in front of everyone. It is then formally acknowledged they are adults.
Dances of Possession and Summoning these common, and very important in many Traditional African Religions. They all share one common link: a call to a Spirit. These spirits are called Orishas in many forms of African religion. Each Orisha has their favorite colours, days, times, foods, drinks, music, and dances. The dances will be used on special occasions to honor the Orisha, or to seek help and guidance. The Orisha may be angry and need appeasing.