Folk dance facts for kids

Morris dancing in England.

A folk dance is a type of dance that people do for fun at social events. These dances are usually done by everyday people, not professional dancers. They are often performed to traditional music.

Folk dances are usually not created for big stage shows. However, sometimes traditional folk dances are changed a bit to be performed on a stage. The way these dances are done is often passed down through families and communities. While they do change a little over time, their main style stays the same. New dancers often learn by watching others and getting help from friends or family.

Some people might disagree, but folk dancing is generally seen as dancing without a main rule-making group. It also doesn't usually involve competitions or professional shows.

European Folk Dances

A stick dance called Ball de bastons from Catalonia.

Europe has many different kinds of folk dances. Here are some examples:

• Polonez from Poland
• Clogging, which involves special shoes
• English country dance
• Irish dance
• Maypole dance, often done around a tall pole
• Morris dance
• Turkish dance
• Welsh Morris Dance
• Nordic polska dance
• Ball de bastons, a stick dance
• Square dance
• Sword dance

Sword dances include Longsword dances and rapier dancing. Some dances, like contra dance, Scottish country dance, and modern Western square dance, are sometimes called folk dances. However, they are not always considered "folk" in the strictest sense. Many country dances and ballroom dances actually came from folk dances. They have just changed a little over many years.

A folk dance from Cyprus with glasses.

Middle East and South Asian Folk Dances

This region also has a rich history of folk dances. Here are a few examples:

• Attan is the national dance of Afghanistan.
• Azerbaijani dances
• Kurdish dance
• Assyrian folk dance
• Georgian Folk Dances
• Bhangra is a lively harvest dance from Punjab. It has become very popular around the world.
• Ghoomar is a traditional women's folk dance from Rajasthan, India. It is performed by the Bhil tribe.
• Ghumura Dance is a war dance from the Kingdom of Kalahandi in Odisha, India.
• Kalbelia is a beautiful dance from Rajasthan, India. It is performed by the Kalbelia tribe.
• Israeli folk dance

Mtiuluri, a Georgian folk dance.

Images for kids

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  Balinese dance, an Indonesian folk dance

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  Malambo, an Argentine folk dance

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  Traditional Valencian dances

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  Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel

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  Folk Dancing at Jack in the Green May Day festival in Hastings, UK.

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  Turkey folk dance

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  Armenian dancers. HlushenkovFolkFest in Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine.

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  Punjabi Folk Dance in Pakistan and India

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  Cambodian Peacock dance

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  Javanese dancer performing Srimpi dance in Java, Indonesia

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  Singkil, traditional folk dance of the Maranao people of the Philippines depicting parts of the epic poem, Darangen.

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  Members from the Philippine Cultural Dancers group perform tinikling during the 2007 Asian Pacific Heritage Month celebration at the Kadena Air Base, Japan

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  Kyushtdepdi

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  Assyrians dancing khigga.

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  Mtiuluri

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  Macedonian female folk dance, Tresenica, performed by Tanec

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  Podhale Gorals dancing

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  Traditional Russian squat dancing

See also

In Spanish: Danza folclórica para niños