by Ayodele Abbis

Created on: August 25, 2009

Dancing is as old as art, and aside from being a natural form of expression, is also a binding that unites people across different cultures and nations of the world. Historically, the art of dancing is embedded in the history of primitive man. At every stage of development of man's history, dancing in some form or the other have been established. There are notably two categories of dancing that are associated with every change in dispensation of man's history; Social dance and religious dance. Social dance which was done at memorable occasions such as weddings, birth celebrations, and any other events of note. Religious dancing was done to persuade the gods to perform an act of kindness or to plead with them so as to have victory in war- many African tribes had this form of dancing, they even had war dances which they performed to improve their agility, and release victorious spirits that helped them conquer. Nowadays there are many forms of dancing that the two categories mentioned earlier does not suffice in classifying them.

Dancing is a form of communication, every moment is significant to the free flowing expression of a passionate soul. When the soul is overwhelmed with joy, or perhaps smeared with happiness, it overflows in a form of dance. The rhythmic movement , and vibration of the body, the swaying of limber parts purges the soul in a rapturous feat. In modern day hip hop dancing, the choreographic movement of each dancer is a form of "talking" to the other members of the dance, and one cannot help but experience the feel of the message. Essentially, dancing says, there goes a soul naturally in touch with itself, and free.

Dancing is one of the natural phenomenon that unites human beings across nations and geographical boundaries. It is also one of the common denominators in human history regardless of cultural and sociological disparity. Check in the cultural evolution of every nation and see how people have danced in particular unique ways to associate with those changes. Internationally, dance is a generally acceptable medium of sharing human values; little wonder the stages of international events such as the Olympics, world cups, and sometimes conferences have always commenced with musicians and dancers showcasing the uniqueness of their cultures. There is even a dance competition that parades people from different countries dancing to different styles of music! Dancing is so important to us in the present day that we make movies, establish schools, write books, give a degree, make television shows about it. It is the stuff that makes the world go around!

There are health benefits to dancing as much as a sense of satisfaction. Dancing offers an interesting challenge to our minds, souls and physical well being. The Brazilian capoeira dance for instance, even though demands a level of fitness to do, it helps to lose weight the more you do it. People dance to lose weight; it is a popular TV show, the biggest loser! What better way to lose weight than to do It while having fun. Weight loss is all about losing calories and that is exactly what you do when you dance.

Essentially , dancing is important because it is part of us as humans, we live, we love, we laugh, we dance. It doesn't matter if you are good at it or not, it doesn't matter if you are fortunate to have limber bones to move rhythmically well enough or not , the tiniest movement of the head, the unobserved swaying of the hips, the patterned unforced nodding of the head, these, I say, are all forms of dancing. Historically, dancing has been part of our established society since the days of primitive man, and I tell you, it will be till the end of time.

Learn more about this author, Ayodele Abbis.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.