Korean dance

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Korean dance is the art of dance as practiced in Korea, or by Koreans abroad. This article looks at the history of Korean dance, from shamanistic early rituals three thousand years ago, through folk dance to contemporary dance, as well as newer trends like Korean versions of Russian classical ballet, computerized dance-machines, and the American imported hip-hop MTV-style video scene. The oldest dance is Nongak.^{[citation needed]}

Contents 1 Traditional dance 1.1 Forms of Korean traditional dance 2 See also 3 External links

[edit] Traditional dance

Korean traditional dance apparently originated in ancient shamanistic rituals thousands of years ago. Since that time, Korean culture and dance have both been influenced by Buddhism, Christianity, and cultures such as China during times of cultural exchange or invasion.

By the time of the later Korean kingdoms, Goryeo and Joseon, in the 2nd millennium CE, Korean traditional dance benefited from regular support of the royal court, numerous academies, and even an official ministry of the government.

A number of different dances gained permanent high status, including the Hermit dance, the Ghost dance, the Monk dance, the Kisaeng (Entertainer) dance and others, despite the fact that many had humble origins. For example, the Fan dance is believed to have originated with shamans performing nature rites with leaves but evolved into one of the most highly refined Korean dances.

Other Korean dances remained and remain to this day under the ambit of farmers and folk dance groups.

Props used in the dances include the long billowing silk scarf of pure white used in the Salpuri dance, drums, hats, swords and the like. The props may be peripheral or central to the story of the dance. In the Ghost dance, the entertainer has a joyous reunion with a deceased spouse, only to endure the heartbreak of reseparation, and there may few or no props. On the other hand, the Great Drum dance (one of several forms of drum dances) features a gaudy drum which may be taller than the performer. The drum tempts a monk until finally he succumbs to it and performs a rolling drum orgy.

During the bad years of foreign domination, invasion, and even attempts to exterminate Korean language and culture most of the academies died out and some dances were lost. Brave Korean dancers kept many of the traditions alive in secret and abroad, and today Korean traditional dance is enjoying a vibrant resurgence.

Numerous universities in Korea teach Korean Traditional Dance, and even some universities abroad now teach the forms. Top dancers are recognized as "Living National Treasures" and charged to pass their dances down to their students. The lineages of dance and dancer may be traced back several generations through such connections.

[edit] Forms of Korean traditional dance

Korean traditional dance does not necessarily follow the forms of Western dance. Moves follow a curvilinear path with little short term repetition. The dancer's legs and feet are often entirely concealed by billowing Hanbok. Emotional attributes of the dances include both somberness and joy.

[edit] See also

• List of Korea-related topics
• Korean culture
• Korean art

[edit] External links

• http://www.indiana.edu/~easc/resources/korea_slides/dance_and_music/7-1.htm