Dances

Dance is a performing art consisting of purposeful movement of the body, often set to music, that expresses ideas, emotions, or narratives. It encompasses practices in which movement is structured in time and space, utilizing rhythm, form, and dynamics. Dances arise from and reflect cultural contexts, social practices, and individual creativity, and they can be performed for ceremonial, religious, celebratory, entertainment, or competitive purposes.

Elements commonly considered in dance include technique (body alignment, coordination, strength), rhythm and meter, spatial design (levels, directions, pathways), and expressive quality or dynamics (tempo, weight, flow). Choreography is the deliberate arrangement of movement motifs, transitions, and formations, and can be created for stages, screens, or gatherings.

Categories range from ceremonial and folk dances to social dances (such as ballroom and street styles) and theatrical forms (including ballet, modern, and contemporary). Folk and traditional dances preserve communal practices and repertories, while contemporary dance often emphasizes experimentation with movement perception and the body’s possibilities. Dance can stand alone as performance or accompany narrative, music, or ritual.

Documentation and study of dance have included notation systems, pedagogy, and ethnography. In many regions, dance is part of intangible cultural heritage, with efforts to preserve traditional repertoires while supporting innovation. Dance education, media, and events contribute to its ongoing development and accessibility worldwide.