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The DancesThe Highland DancesThere are 4 Highland dances, all of which were originally for men only. Today, they are at the basis of all major championships. These dances are the Fling, Sword, Seann Truibhas, and Reels. Each dance is made up of a series of set steps, and dancers can choose to compete with whichever steps they prefer, provided that they're not competing at a championship (where steps are pre-determined).The Highland Fling As with the Sword Dance, this is probably the oldest of the traditional dances of Scotland - signifying victory following a battle. It was danced on a targe, a circular shield of wood with the front covered in tough hide, and the back in deer or sheepskin. The targe weighed approximately five pounds, and was strong enough to withstand the thrust of a bayonet. The front of the shield was decorated with brass studs and plates, and had a long spike in the centre around which the dancer would dance flicking of the feet, jumping and careful stepping supposedly to drive evil spirits away. Agility, nimble footwork, and strength allowed the dancer to avoid the sharp spike, which often projected five to six inches upwards. It was also said to have been practiced on tree stumps and fence posts. Thus the Fling is danced in one place. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emCIxAJCe2g The Sword Dance The Sword Dance is mentioned in documents going back to the reign of Malcolm III, King of Scots in the eleventh century. Known in Gaelic as "Canmore", "Great Head", he allegedly danced over his bloody claymore, (the ancient two-handed sword of Scotland), crossed with the sword of his defeated enemy (or perhaps even over the severed head of his foe). After this the Sword dance was traditional danced by warriors on the eve of battle, if the dancer touched the sword he would be wounded the next day, but if a dancer kicked the sword, he would be killed, if many dancers touched their swords the clan would lose the battle. Following this tradition today, if a dancer touches a sword (but not displaces it in competition), the dancer loses five marks. However, if the dancer displaces the sword, s/he is disqualified. The clap at close to the end of the dance tells the piper to speed up the tempo, showing off the dancers endurance and mettle. youtube.com . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVkh-oJ1j0Q Seann Truibhas Seann Truibhas, pronounced ‘Shawn Trewes’, is Gaelic for ‘Old Trousers’. It is largely believed that the dance developed after the 1745 Jacobite Rising, when Charles Edward Stuart (more affectionately known as Bonnie Prince Charlie) came to Scotland (from France) to win back the crown. Initially the uprising was a staggering success; the Jacobite army rapidly broke out of the Highlands, captured Edinburgh, and advanced as far south as Derby in England. Unfortunately, the army lacked the necessary French support, and so retreated back to their stronghold in the Highlands, where it was finally defeated at Culloden Moor near Inverness in 1746. Afterwards, the government decided to end once and for all the Jacobite military threat. Jacobites were rounded up, imprisoned or executed. Estates were snatched, the clan system dismantled, and their kilt and plaids, pipes, and weaponry outlawed. Some therefore suggest that the dance was created when the above Act of Proscription was repealed in 1783, and Highlanders were once again allowed to wear their kilts. The first part of the dance depicts a man trying to shake off the hated trousers and the quick-time is thought to reflect the Highlander’s joy at regaining the freedom of their native kilts. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22qjzuum-tQ The Reels There are several types of ‘group’ dances performed by Highland Dancers. They include: 1. Hullachan (Gaelic for "party") 2. Strathspey and Half Tulloch 3. Strathspey and Highland Reel 4. Strathspey and Highland Reel and Half Tulloch. A Strathspey is performed by four dancers (in competition all dancers are judged separately), initially beginning in a line, and dancing a ‘figure of eight’. A quicker Highland Reel (using the same formation) or Tulloch (with dancers taking turns doing steps and turning with linked arms) follows the Strathspey. The Reel is thought to have originated in the Churchyard, where on a cold winter's Sunday a Minister was late for his service-- parishioners tried to keep warm by clapping their hands and stamping their feet. Another version tells of the churchgoers in the aisle between the pews to keep warm before the service started. Strathspey and Highland Reel and Half Tulloch. http://youtube.com/watch?v=WSaoE6EtUoY Strathspey and Half Tulloch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvP0CBA4FEw Strathspey and Highland Reel http://youtube.com/watch?v=nUqhtvJphz8 The National DancesThe National Dances include Blue Bonnets, Flora MacDonald's Fancy, Hielan' Laddie, Scotch Measure, Scottish Lilt, The Earl of Errol, The Village Maid, and Wilt Thou go to the Barracks Johnnie?These dances vary considerably in character. Only two of the above dances are performed in a kilt, ‘Barracks’ and ‘Laddie’. The remainder of the dances were created by dancing masters in the 19th century to be danced by women, as females were not originally allowed to dance the strong Highland Dances, or even wear the kilt. The National Dances are more balletic, ‘lady-like’, and softer—although they require tremendous skill to execute correctly, as the rhythms and technique are often more complicated than in the conventional Highland Dances. The costume worn by women is called ‘Aboyne’ named after the Aboyne Highland Games where to this day the wearing of the kilt by females is strictly forbidden. Males have the option of wearing tartan ‘trewes’ or a kilt for the National Dances. Blue Bonnets This dance depicts a young woman trying to flirt and catch the attention of a "blue bonnet". "Blue bonnets" was slang for Scotsmen, so named because of the blue hats they wore. http://youtube.com/watch?v=KIhjbatwVlQ Flora Macdonald’s Fancy The ‘Flora’ is a pretty dance said to be choreographed in honor of Flora MacDonald. After the massacre at Culloden in 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie had a high price on his head, and Flora helped him escape to Skye by disguising him as her maid, Betty Burke. The crossing was short but dangerous, as the small boat weathered both bullets from the shore, and storms. Both survived, and the Prince escaped to France, never to return. Flora was later arrested when her part in the escape became known. However, her courage, ingenuity, and popular appeal meant that she was well treated, and was later released from the Tower. One legend is that Flora loved Bonnie Prince Charlie, and that she performed the dance high on a hill, as he sailed for France. Another says that this dance was originated by her and danced for the Royal Prince in the light of the rebel campfire. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Rc35LdaH-SA Earl of Errol This was originally a dance performed in hard shoes. It was choreographed for the Earl of Errol. Errol is a small town in Aberdeenshire. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OA1rFOlYR0U Scotch Measure This can either be danced as a solo dance or with two people in which case it is called a "Twa Some". It is supposed to depict the Scottish dating ritual. Scotch Measure http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVJhgbx7cFw Twa-some http://youtube.com/watch?v=Grz0cxEHoVI Village Maid Of all the dances, this dance is most heavily influenced by ballet. The dance is unusual in that there is very little hopping, which is so characteristic of Highland Dancing, and the dancer steps flat onto the foot-- most of the other dances require that the dancer be on the ball of the supporting foot. The dance shows a young barmaid dancing on the table to entertain her clients. http://youtube.com/watch?v=w_-1sQvl2cU Wilt Thou go to the Barracks Johnnie? The ‘Barracks’ is thought to have been a recruiting dance for the army. A recruiting officer would use a dancer to attract people to his recruiting station or use the dancer for entertainment while in a village. Another story says that if a Highlander could complete this physically demanding dance without tiring he was fit enough to fight in battle. http://youtube.com/watch?v=bloQOD7SbBU The Highland Laddie This dance was devised by soldiers in the First World War I. It is always danced to the famous tune of the same name. This dance is also a tribute to the Highland Laddie, Bonnie Prince Charlie. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HONkW9uqlUU The Scottish Lilt The ‘Lilt’ or ‘Scottish Jig’ is another pretty dance; it is unusual in that the counting is in sixes rather than eights, which is the norm. http://youtube.com/watch?v=TD9UoMO8UNY The Character DancesThe Irish JigThe Scottish version of the Irish Jig is a parody dance depicting an Irish washer woman who is yelling and shaking her fists at her husband who came home late from the pub after spending all his money. Other versions include the Irish washerwoman chasing away the kids or pigs that ran through her clean laundry. The male version of the dance tells of the husband mad at the washerwoman for shrinking his pants. http://youtube.com/watch?v=wiKXMTx1erI http://youtube.com/watch?v=B1D4orwqvvk http://youtube.com/watch?v=2dbL4NYrbKk Sailor’s Hornpipe Hornpipe dancing was fairly widespread throughout the British Isles during the 18th and 19th centuries. The Hornpipe likely developed as a means of exercise for sailors (much like the Highland Dances for soldiers) who were aboard ships for long periods of time, and as a means to relieve boredom and discontent. It is in fact believed that the Royal Navy Captain James Cook (1728-1779) thought dancing was most useful to keep his men in good health during a voyage. The dance recreates the many chores of a sailor on board his ship including, hauling, hoisting, looking out to sea, waving the farewell flag and getting a little tipsy. The step-close during the break signifies the sailor stepping forward crisply to receive his pay. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9b2iIYMKZFQ http://youtube.com/watch?v=sJIDkdhrf5s http://youtube.com/watch?v=GcyV2rmiYD8 Other Dances
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