Dance is key to developing communities that make up various present-day cultures. According to the National Library of Medicine, dance’s biological roots extend back to the Pleistocene period, more commonly referred to as the Ice Age, where it is believed to be used for survival. Through visual and audible synchronization, like dancing to a chant, people used this method to ward off predators from attacking.
The native Maori of New Zealand exemplified this through the Haka. This is a dance that displays pride, strength, and unity. The repeated practice of such dances allowed them to quickly become a vital part of developing communities.
Some of the earliest accounts of dancing are found in the wall paintings of ancient Egyptian civilizations. In the Nile kingdom, professional dancers were initially priests dancing in temples or slaves performing in the homes of the wealthy. The practice then shifted to becoming a more common practice, frequently participating at funerals, social occasions, and religious gatherings.
An article published by Harvard University describes an Apache community in New Mexico’s four-day ceremonial practice used to initiate young girls on their path to womanhood. This is done through exuberant dancing, singing, and feasting. The Apache’s tradition is another example of how synchronized movement is a valued aspect of ceremonial culture.
On the other side of the world, Kagura is a dance in Japan used to honor the gods of Shintoism performed at Matsuris, seasonal festivals, that became part of the culture around 1,300 years ago. These exemplify the idea that dance has brought unity to cultures of various regions.
Dance continues to be an integral aspect of modern culture, but there is a growing concern that has become an exclusionary environment. With ballet studios heavily preaching strict body standards, those not conforming to this face backlash. Juliette Love, a junior at James Logan High School, described her old ballet studio as one centered around comparison with the primary motivation to win competitions. However, when asked about her new studio, she said, “I love all the teachers in the community, and I feel like I’ve grown a lot going here for only two seasons.” This illustrates the importance of an inclusive, supportive environment in cultivating success and artistry in dance.
Unfortunately, hierarchies within studios are common and frequently established based on dancers’ physical features and skills. These hierarchies are harmful to what should be a welcoming atmosphere for dancers to express themselves. This is why Ms. Galvez, the dance instructor at James Logan High School, said, “I stress the importance of non-hierarchy, community solidarity, and unity all around.” Through this, she does her best to maintain a comfortable space for dancers to feel welcomed and instill a sense of community.
Additionally, hierarchies can be witnessed amongst teenagers who wish to partake in trends such as lighthearted dances. Jalaiah Harmon, a young African American dancer on TikTok, produced a dance to a well-liked song. It quickly became popularized by another white creator. Stripping Harmon of her credit for months, this situation resembles the experiences of many other dancers of color who often face discrimination. This furthered the idea that the dance community is losing grip on its purpose of uniting people, as many are being excluded.
Moving forward, we must remember the purpose of dance: to bring together communities. Mrs. Galvez stresses the value of dance as a way to connect people of various identities since she said, “We can always learn something from another person from a different walk of life.” It is time to once again foster the benefits dance has as opposed to regressing into a world where it is normalized for some to be put at a disadvantage. Dance must remain a vehicle for bringing people together, demonstrating cultural pride, and expressing one’s inner artist.
