An Extract from Sacred Dance by Dzagbe Cudjoe

Dance is clearly one of the earliest forms of worship. Cave art from early prehistoric times onwards bears witness to the power of the dance. Such paintings and engravings occur worldwide. In the western part of Arnhem Land in Australia a cave painting shows two men playing instruments to accompany the dance. A rock shelter at Cogul near Lenda in Catolonia, Spain portrays a group of nine women. They are wearing knee length skirts and are dancing round a small naked male figure. The State of Madhya Pradash in India has abundant rock art depicting dancers and musicians. The caves in Tassili Algeria have paintings of female dancers and the Etruscans in 500 BC depicted dancing in wall frescoes.

Certain dances mimic animals or are aimed to ensure that something happens. For example hunters in ancient times are shown in cave paintings dancing wearing animal skins and masks. We can safely assume that this was to ensure good hunting. Dances miming the gathering of the harvest must also be of ancient origin. As time has passed such dances have become folk dance rather than sacred dance.

Sacred Dance is often preceded by elaborate secret preparations such as bathing, avoidance of certain foods and drinks and from sexual intercourse. There may be periods of intense prayer and the taking of trance inducing substances.

One of the best documented european sacred dances is that connected to the cult of the Greek god Dionysus. The rituals in his honor included orgies, the sacrifice of animals, excessive wine-drinking and trance dancing which continued until the dancers collapsed with exhaustion.

Judaism had no problem with dance being connected to worship. Psalm 150 for example:- "Praise ye the Lord... Praise him with the timbrel and dance". King David is said to have whirled before the Ark of the Covenant. In the Talmud dancing is described as being the principal function of angels.

Dance was part of the service in the early Christian church. It took place in the choir and was led by the bishop. Today there are Christian churches who are reintroducing dance sometimes in a very self-conscious style.

Sacred Dance can in itself be therapeutic.

The Shakers, who were an offshoot of the Quakers were brought to America from England in 1774 by Ann Lee. A vision had told her that sexual intercourse was the source of mankinds's troubles. She established a closed community which practised self-sufficiency and communal ownership of all possessions. The Shakers had a deep understanding of the aesthetic of simplicity which showed itself in all aspects of their lives.

Shaker dances were held in the evening. Men and women entered the hall separately. They marched in on tip-toe and formed two rows facing each other about five feet apart.Men were on the right with the women on the left. The Chief Elder stood in the middle and gave a five minute address. He concluded by saying "Go forth, old men, young men and maidens and worship God with all your might in the dance". Men and women did not intermingle. There were pauses to see if anyone had received "a gift". Then two of the sisters would start whirling like tops with their eyes shut. They continued whirling for about 15 minutes when they stopped suddenly and sat down again.

There are no longer any viable Shaker communities and the dances have therefore died out. A certain number of their hymns, however, continue to be sung in various other churches.

An ancient Sacred Dance tradition continues to this day in Turkey, the Middle East and North Africa.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ THE REST OF THIS ARTICLE PLEASE GO TO http://www.dance-to-health-help-your-special-needs-child.com/sacred-dance.html


6 DANCE MOVEMENT LESSON PLANS http://www.lulu.com/content/5417774

DVD DANCE IN OUR FOOTSTEPShttp://www.lulu.com/content/5418026

DANCE TO HEALTH http://www.lulu.com/content/5417355

CALLING ALL DRUMMERS AND FLUTE PLAYERS http://www.lulu.com/content/5631546

AN APPROACH TO AFRICAN RHYTHM BY SETH CUDJOE http://www.lulu.com/content/5427533