Origins of Folk Dance

Folk dance originated in medieval times, when villagers gathered together to celebrate events, festivals  or to take part in sacred rituals. Many of these traditional dances are still performed today throughout the world because, they are a tie to the traditions and ancestors. 

• The term folk dance refers to any dance that was created before the 1800s and has been passed down from generation to generation.


• Folk dances are often identifiable with a certain world region and/or social class, such as Morris Dancing in England, Sword Dancing in Scotland and Step Dancing in Ireland.


• In medieval times, folk dances were performed in celebration, such as a joyful event or triumph in battle or as part of an important ritual.


• Because folk dances usually originated in agricultural areas, the dances were characteristically linked to the seasons. For example, the Maypole dance was a celebration of spring.


• Folk dance was also part of the royal court; however, these differed from the folk dances enjoyed by peasants.


• The first official folk dancers were likely medieval "carollers" (a dance in the round often accompanied by singing); modern versions of carollers including square dancing and even the Hokey Pokey.


• Over time, there came other styles of dance formations and social dances. Many of these have been preserved, some from Tudor times as well.


• Writers such as Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and Thomas Hardy gave descriptions of certain country dances in their works. Some of which saw a revival over the past 10 years, as the works of Austen were remade into film adaptations.


• In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Victorian era began to move towards couple dances, brought back by wealthy visitors to the continent. Nonetheless, the work of musicians such as Cecil Sharp and Mary Neal brought a strong revival in the interest in traditional English folk dance.


• Folk Dancing is still around, with a sizeable minority of the population interested and regularly involved in English Morris Dancing, Irish Step Dancing, Scottish Country Dancing, Sword Dancing and Ceilidhs, American Barn Dances and Square Dances. Folk dance holidays are offered in the Mediterranean.