Introduction to Dance and Philippine Traditional Dances

Vocabulary flashcards based on Lesson 1 and Lesson 2 covering dance definitions, benefits, elements, features, and Philippine traditional classifications.

Dance

A performing art form wherein the body is the instrument of expression, characterized by movement put into rhythmic form.

Danson

An old German word meaning "to stretch", from which the word dancing derived.

Elements of Dance

The foundational concepts and vocabulary that help students develop movement skills and understand dance as an artistic practice.

Body

The medium used by the dancer in expressing the art of dancing, which can form various shapes such as curved, straight, geometric, or literal designs.

Action

Any bodily movement involved in dancing, including gestures, facial expressions, movement skills, and the pauses or stillness between movements.

Space

The area that performers occupy and where they move, divided into four spatial elements: direction, level, size, and focus.

Direction

A spatial element referring to the path dance movements travel, such as forward, side, backward, diagonal, or circular.

Level

A spatial element describing the height at which movements are executed, classified as high, medium, or low.

Size

A spatial element referring to the magnitude of actions, which can be varied between large or small.

Focus

A spatial element that generally refers to the eye line or direction in which the performers are looking.

Time

The movement of dancers in relationship to music, tempo, meter, or rhythm.

Syncopation/Upbeat

A timing variation in movement and rhythm often heard in music genres like jazz.

Energy

The dynamic force incorporated into choreography, such as sharp or smooth, strong or light, or free-flowing movements.

Rhythm

The relatively fast, slow, repetition and variation of dance movements.

Design

The arrangement of dance movements according to a pattern.

Dynamics

Variations in the force and intensity of dance movements.

Technique

The degree of body control and mastery of basic dance steps and positions.

Folk Dance

A vernacular, usually recreational dance form that reflects the daily life, culture, customs, and traditions of common people.

Ethnic Dance

A dance form representing the history, culture, and traditions of an ethnic group, often used for rituals.

National Dance

A type of dance that is officially or widely recognized as representing the culture and identity of a country.

BIKAIIG

The eight major ethnolinguistic communities living in the mountain region of northern Luzon and the Sierra Madre Mountain ranges.

Ganza / Gangsa

Metal gongs used by Cordillera groups, beaten on the outer surface with a short padded stick.

Tungali / Tulali

A bamboo nose flute used by Cordillera groups that is blown using a single nostril.

Banga

A Filipino tribal folk dance from the Kalinga people where women dance with several pots stacked on their heads.

Gaway-gaway

A Waray folk dance named after a staple crop that mimics harvesting and crop processing steps.

Subli

A Spanish colonial festival dance characterized by male dancers maintaining bent-over postures throughout the performance.

Salip

A traditional Kalinga courtship dance where the male imitates the movements of a rooster courting a maiden.

Turayen

A nature dance of the Apayao (Isnag) people that imitates the graceful movements of a soaring bird.

Maria Clara Dances

Dances popular among Christianized Filipinos that reflect Spanish colonial elegance, modesty, and refinement.

Cariñosa

A courtship dance from Panay Island meaning "affectionate" or "loving", where dancers use a fan or handkerchief.

Buti-Buti

An occupational dance of the Badjao people from Sulu and Tawi-Tawi that portrays fishing and daily sea activities.

Lawin-lawin

A Bagobo rite-of-passage dance depicting an eagle's growth from an egg to adulthood, performed by sons of the datu.

Itik-Itik

An imitative dance originating from Surigao del Norte that copies the movements of a duck wading in shallow water.

Binasuan

A Pangasinan folk dance with implements where dancers balance glasses of wine on their heads and hands.

First Position of Feet

A feet stance where heels touch to form a V-shape while toes are turned outward away from each other.

Second Position of Feet

A feet stance where one foot is moved sideward, keeping feet parallel at a distance of about 12 inches.

Third Position of Feet

A feet stance where the heel of one foot touches the arch of the other foot, with both feet turned outward.

Fourth Position of Feet

A feet stance where one foot is placed forward retaining a distance of about 12 inches from the other foot.

Fifth Position of Feet

A feet stance where the heel of the front foot touches the toe of the rear foot, with both feet pointing outward.

First Position of Arms

An arm stance where arms form a circle in front of the chest with curved arms and fingertips at least 1 inch apart.

Second Position of Arms

An arm stance where both arms are opened sideward at shoulder level.

Third Position of Arms

An arm stance where one arm is raised slightly curved above the head while the other stays opened at shoulder level.

Fourth Position of Arms

An arm stance where one arm is raised forward in front of the chest while the other arm remains lifted above the head.

Fifth Position of Arms

An arm stance where both arms are lifted slightly curved above the head.