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Morris dancing in the grounds of Wells Cathedral, England

The term folk dance describes dances that share some or all of the following attributes:

• They are dances performed at social functions by people with little or no professional training, often to traditional music or music based on traditional music.
• They are not designed for public performance or the stage, although traditional folkdances may be later arranged and set for stage performances.
• Their execution is dominated by an inherited tradition rather than by innovation (although like all folk traditions they do change over time)
• New dancers often learn informally by observing others and/or receiving help from others.

More controversially, some people define folk dancing as dancing for which there is no governing body or dancing for which there are no competitive or professional performances.

Terminology[link]

The term "folk dance" is sometimes applied to dances of historical importance in European culture and history; typically originated before 20th century. For other cultures the terms "ethnic dance" or "traditional dance" are sometimes used, although the latter terms may encompass ceremonial dances.

There are a number of modern dances, such as hip hop dance, that evolve spontaneously, but the term "folk dance" is generally not applied to them, and the terms "street dance" or "vernacular dance" are used instead. The term "folk dance" is reserved for dances which are to a significant degree bound by tradition and originated in the times when the distinction existed between the dances of "common folk" and the dances of the "high society".

A number of modern ballroom dances originated from folk ones.

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.

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.

Europe[link]

A Ball de bastons stick dance from Catalonia

Cyprus folk dance with glasses in Paphos

Types of European folk dance include:

• Polonez (Polish),
• clogging,
• English country dance,
• international folk dance,
• Irish dance,
• Maypole dance,
• Morris dance,
• Turkish dance,
• Welsh Morris Dance,
• Nordic polska dance,
• Ball de bastons,
• square dance, and
• sword dance.

Sword dances include Longsword dances and rapper dancing. Some choreographed dances such as contra dance, Scottish country dance, and modern Western square dance, are called folk dances, though this is not true in the strictest sense. Country dance overlaps with contemporary folk dance and ballroom dance. Most country dances and ballroom dances originated from folk dances, with gradual refinement over the years.

People familiar with folk dancing can often determine what country a dance is from even if they have not seen that particular dance before. Some countries' dances have features that are unique to that country, although neighboring countries sometimes have similar features. For example, the German and Austrian schuhplattling dance consists of slapping the body and shoes in a fixed pattern, a feature that few other countries' dances have. Folk dances sometimes evolved long before current political boundaries, so that certain dances are shared by several countries. For example, some Serbian, Bulgarian, and Croatian dances share the same or similar dances, and sometimes even use the same name and music for those dances.

Although folk dancing was historically done by the common people of the local culture, international folk dance has received some popularity on college campuses and community centers within the United States and other countries

Middle East & South Asia[link]

• Attan - The national dance of Afghanistan
• Azerbaijani dances
• Kurdish dance
• Assyrian folk dance
• Georgian Folk Dances
  

  

  Mtiuluri
• Bhangra a Punjabi harvest dance and music style that has become popular worldwide.
• Ghoomar a traditional Bhil tribe women's folk dance of Rajasthan, India.
• Ghumura Dance: War Dance from Kingdom of Kalahandi, Orissa, India
• Kalbelia is one of the most sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan, performed by the kalbelia tribe.
• Israeli folk dance

Southeast Asia[link]

• Cariñosa the unofficial national dance of the Philippines replacing Tinikling

Latin America[link]

• Baile Folklorico (Mexico and Central America)

See also[link]

• List of ethnic, regional, and folk dances sorted by origin
• Dance basic topics, a list of general dance topics
• Balfolk, contemporary folk dance practiced across Europe

References[link]

External links[link]

• Folklore Festivals
• Folklore People Community
• About Folk Dances, Steps, Videos, Pictures
• Folk festivals around the world
• Society for International Folk Dancing, a UK charity that promotes international folk dance and whose associated groups run classes and events.
• Folk dancing at the Open Directory Project
• Collection of folk dance videos
• Folk dance festival around the world
• Georgian Folk Dance Lessons