Dance: A Cultural Phenomenon

Over the years, dance has been an integral part of a culture. It sometimes reflects their heritage and sometimes it tells a story, of a historical folk tale. Dancing is a form of expression that often moves mountains and it is no exception when it comes to cultural preservation. Dance can also be religious, or praising a deity or an individual. In this regard, we can distinguish cultural dance as terming them as folk dances while religious as ritualistic dances. These factors stick even today with the young population. Even in todays globalized society, some people find themselves lost in terms of their ritual. But on the contrary, some people find even more passion in their cultural and their dance. Does this attitude persist even in the young globalized community of IE?

“It reflects on Mexican tradition” says 2nd year BBA student Bernardo Dillion from Mexico. “Mexican culture shines through the traditional dances of our country. Many Mexican families are super religious and ttraditional. Dance has an important role in our lives, such as coming-of-age parties, religious events, and agricultural celebrations.Theres the Jarabe Tapatío (Mexican Hat Dance). Usually tourists see a performance of Danza del Venado (Dance of the Deer) or Tlacolorerosis (an agricultural dance). While these traditional dances each have very different roots and styles, they bring various aspects of Mexican culture to the audiences who see them performed. It makes me patriotic when I see it.”

Usually, most developing countries are the ones more rooted in their traditions but in most developed nations are still in deep roots. A shining example is Spanish people where family and historic values are persisting traits. “In here, dance is life. Im from Sevilla and dance is a huge part of Andalusian culture. I go to the feria every time its on and I absolutely lose myself. It makes you feel as if there is not a place in the world I would rather be from. At the same time It made me appreciate other dances and the passion that goes into the movement of the body.”

Whether it is the east or the west, dance is as big part of the tradition as food and clothes. It is unique in different parts of the world and everyone has something special to bring to the table. And when all dances are put together, there is a certain sense of beautiful unity.