Recreation, Leisure and Dance Activities

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In today’s class, we will be talking about recreation, leisure and dance activities. Enjoy the class!

Recreation, Leisure and Dance Activities

To live a balanced lifestyle and reduce the chances of mental or physical stress, it is important to take some break or rest, known as leisure, from work or study and engage in some fun and enjoyment. Recreation refers to physical activities indulged during leisure time. Another form of activity or act that helps improve the quality of life is dance. Dance refers to a series of movement that involves the moving of the hand, feet and the body to music.

Pre-colonial/folk traditional dance

Dance is a series of steps and movements that match the speed and rhythm of a piece of music. It is a performance art form consisting of purposefully selected sequences of human movement. To dance means to move one’s feet or body, or both rhythmically in a pattern of steps especially to the accompaniment of music.

Dancing is a common thing with people as every culture and tradition has unique forms of dance, which dates back to their origin. In Nigeria, there are different forms of dance which predates the colonial era (government under the white men). These dances are known as folk traditional dances. Almost every culture and tradition in Nigeria has is own unique form of dance; from North to East to South and the West.

Folk traditional dances are dances developed by groups of people that reflect the traditional life of the people of a certain country or region. They are usually held at folk gatherings or social functions and are in response to traditional music. This section will describe different folk dances common to the popular tribes in Nigeria.

1. Atilogwu (Igbo): This is an additionally spirited youth dance from the Igbo ethnic group of Nigeria that focuses on vigorous body movement and often includes acrobatics. The dance is usually performed during festivals and the tempo of the dance matches the tempo of the music, which is dependent n the beat of the drum and “ogene,” a metal gong instrument.
2. Bata, Agidigbo (Yoruba): This is a traditional dance which originated from Oyo and Osun states in South-West Nigeria. It is a dance of sango (the god of thunder) worshippers. It is vigorous and energetic, but it has now turned to a ceremonial dance.
   

3. Sharo (Fulani): This is a folk dance noted among the Fulani people of Sokoto State. It is a dance done mostly during the time a young man is searching for a wife and during weddings.
4. Langa (Hausa): This is a traditional dance which is one of the earliest celebrated cultural displays among the Hausa-speaking communities in northern Nigeria, and famous among the youths between the ages of 10 and 20. It usually involves fighting games which serve as a form of entertainment and display of combat prowess among the participating males.

Social dances

Social dance is a major category of dance forms or dance styles, where sociability and socializing are the primary focuses of the dancing. It is a partner dancing that is informal, relaxed, and danced for the enjoyment of the partners; rather than to meet the criteria of a dance school or an audience. Generally, when social dances are spoken about ballroom or other partner dances like circle dances, line dances, novelty dances, or simply club dancing in solo are kept in mind.

Types of social dances

The two types of social dances are spot/slot dances and progressive dance.

1. Spot/Slot Dances: These are dance a couple of dance in one spot or slot. Once a couple establishes their dance spot or slot on the dance floor, they do not drift around the dance floor. Spot or slot dances are best suited for nightclub type dance floors. Examples include salsa, cha-cha and rumba.
2. Progressive Dances: This is a dance that involves travelling around the dance floor in an anti-clockwise direction. Progressive social dances generally need a somewhat larger floor than those suited for spot dancing. Examples include Tango, Social Waltz, and Social Foxtrot

Foreign and modern dance

Foreign dance applies to those dances which come from other counties depicting their cultures and tradition. Examples of foreign dances are ballroom dance, square dance and modern dance

1. Modern dance: This is a broad category of western concert or theatrical dance primarily arising out of Germany and the United States. It focuses more on the expression of inner feelings and emphasizes creativity in choreography and performance.
2. Ballroom dance: This shows beautiful dance movements in impressive forms. It includes Waltz, tango, salsa, samba and rumba.
3. Square dance: This is a dance comprising four couples (eight dancers) arranged in a square, with one couple on each side facing the square.

Popular dance styles

There are dance styles from some countries or regions of the world that has become known and danced the world over. Examples include dance styles like rumba, tango, waltz, cha-cha, etc.

1. Rumba dance: This is a rhythmic dance with Spanish and African elements, originating in Cuba. It depicts the movements of various barnyard animals amusingly, and it is an exhibition, rather than a participation dance.
2. Tango dance: This is a partner dance that originated from Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world. Early tango was known as tango criollo.
3. Cha-cha dance: This is a Latin American dance which is very rhythmic in its appeal, and energetic with slow movements.
4. Salsa dance: This is a popular form of social dance that originated from New York with strong influences from Latin America, particularly Puerto Rico, Cuba and Colombia.
   

5. Waltz dance: This dance originated from Germany. It is a smooth, progressive ballroom and folk dance, normally in triple time, performed primarily in closed positions.
6. Samba dance: This originated from South and Latin America. It is a beautiful and energetic dance which can be in the form of a ballroom dance or a traditional style choreography.
7. Reggae and Disco dances: These dances are done in response to reggae and disco music respectively. Disco music is a combination of hip hop, punk, soul and salsa while reggae music originated from Jamaica, and it is largely influenced by calypso and jazz music.

 

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