Can one think of a culture in which dance does not figure prominently?
Terpsichore has had people swinging and swaying from the beginning of time. From the languorous dances of Bali to the savage saber dances of the Caucasus, the whole world likes to shake a leg and various other parts of the anatomy. Dancing was originally divided into art dancing and folk dancing. Examples of these are the graceful Thai classical dance and the rollicking Ramwong (circle-dance) seen at temple fairs. In Europe, the situation was similar. The Minuet, Gavotte and Allemande were stately dances done in the ballrooms of the nobility. The common folk enjoyed clog dances and the pogo-like Polka. Many terpsichologists study the significance of the dance in human society. They postulate that the dance is a ceremonial activity. The dance acts as a means of social and diplomatic contact in which people may interact in a civilised way. Some dances are trance dances, such as war dances. These prepare warriors minds for battle. The Spanish Pavane is a funeral dance, which is an elegant
