StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Dance Analysis of Zulu People of South Africa - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
From the paper "Dance Analysis of Zulu People of South Africa" it is clear that generally speaking, dance is well common among the people of the Zulu culture in the Southern part of Africa, but it is widely taught across different regions of the world…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER96.2% of users find it useful
Dance Analysis of Zulu People of South Africa
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Dance Analysis of Zulu People of South Africa"

While the dance is usually performed with a lot of energy, my interest in learning it meant that I would be ready to express similar energetic and rhythmic movements that portray the unique dance. I took a class at my school's Music department studio, with the special aid of the department’s tutor in African dances. Finally, after successfully attending a class of the Zulu dance I now have a deeper understanding of the connection that exists between the dancers and the ceremony occasioned by the specific dance.

The Zulu dance generally involves a traditional dance of both men and women fully dressed in their respective traditional dance attires. The dance entails high stepping and a subsequent stomping of the ground rhythmically. The dancers also perform this while holding weapons and shields, where their hands are frequently raised in a manner that goes in line with the rhythm of the entire dance. The weapons that the dancers hold commonly include a traditional spear and a shield.

In some instances, the dancers make a unique kick over their heads and systematically fall to the ground in a well-managed crouch position. In addition, the dancers commonly dress codes that differently showcase the dance moves of either men or women. This means that the dress code of the dance is different for both men and women. The Zulu dance dress code is mainly animal skin for the men, while the women have skirts that are decorated with hardwood beads (Welsh-Asante, 2010). Furthermore, while the adults are expected to have their thighs covered, the children dancers are exempted. However, both men and women will have limited clothing on their bodies and therefore a substantial part of their bodies are exposed.

The Zulu dance is performed during the traditional Zulu ceremony and is commonly accompanied by extremely vibrant singing and at times, the beating of the drums. The dance is regarded as uniquely specular as both men and women perform it usually in blended traditional attire that matches the dance. As a traditional aspect of the Zulu culture, it is customary for unmarried and young men to dance, commonly alternating in different groups, as married men and women also take a break in and subsequently join the festivities. Young women usually clap and play the drum while they dance (Welsh-Asante, 2010). With every step that the dancers make in this case, it is much more calculated to give a less frantic feel and subsequently show off the strength of dancers' muscles, as well as the control of weapons with various mock stabs at imaginary enemies.

In conclusion, I am glad to have had the opportunity to learn about this phenomenal dance, although I found it needed more practice to affect its movements while performing. The energy that is reflected on the dancer shows that it is a dance that is more oriented to a warrior song. Its uniqueness is equally reflected in all its various performances enjoyed by different people across the universe. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Dance analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Dance analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1647385-dance-analysis
(Dance Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Dance Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1647385-dance-analysis.
“Dance Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1647385-dance-analysis.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Dance Analysis of Zulu People of South Africa

Importance of Financial Accounting of Government Affairs in World and More Specifically in Africa

"Importance of Financial Accounting of Government Affairs in World and More Specifically in africa" paper describes the government accounting practices prevalent in the African countries and at the same time explores the strategies and methods which can be adopted to improve government accounting.... To achieve this purpose it is required to have efficiency on three levels; accountability of the bureaucracy to the chief executive, of the executive to the legislature, and of the government to the people....
20 Pages (5000 words) Research Paper

Dance: Diversity and Inclusion

As a matter of fact, dance forms, and serves a very integral part in a people's culture.... It can be attributable to a particular people who in turn may relate to specific events and occurrences within their society (Kassing, 2007).... Which criteria are used in identifying and relating a certain dance to a specific people?... The performing piece that serves as the specimen for this analysis is Beyonce's video for her popular 2011 hit single, Run the World (Girls) (Run the World (Girls), 2011)....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

The Zulu Culture

The research paper "The Zulu Culture" seeks to focus on the zulu people and analyze their culture in comparison to the western culture, particularly in areas concerning early forms of entertainment that have, over the years, developed to become film and literature.... The zulu people intensely believe in three major factors of life.... The Zulu culture is part of the Bantu society that hails from the south-west part of africa.... The culture is one of the major traditions of the south African region....
8 Pages (2000 words) Research Paper

Journalism and Publicity

To ensure that it effectively reaches out to its target audiences MTV Base broadcasts, music that the target audience can relate to or rather understand, for instance, in south africa the channel will air music either in English or Zulu which is a predominant indigenous language there.... Case in point the Afro genre of music is predominant in Nigeria thus a significant amount of airplay will be dedicated to artists from that genre likewise in south africa Kwaito is the type of music that aligns with the local culture thus it will receive massive airplay than any other type in that country....
3 Pages (750 words) Essay

Dance: Diversity and Inclusion

Which criteria are used in identifying and relating a certain dance to specific people?... The performing piece that serves as the specimen for this analysis is Beyonce's video for her popular 2011 hit single, Run the World (Girls) (Run the World (Girls), 2011).... This work "dance: Diversity and Inclusion" focuses on the dance phenomenon.... The author outlines the role of dance examining its ability in practice to achieve goals of inclusivity in diversity with particular regard aspects of gender and race....
6 Pages (1500 words) Case Study

The Aesthetics of Dance

This essay "The Aesthetics of Dance" examines the multitude of ways that race and social class had a tangible impact on the aesthetics of south Bronx dance in the late 1970s and Turf dancing in Oakland, California in the late 1990s.... Ultimately, it's clear that these dances are indicative of social and racial oppression taking place by the dominant culture in the south Bronx and Oakland.... In the late 1970s, the south Bronx underwent a significant period of economic decline that impacted the borough's socio-cultural dynamics....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Role of Poetry in Social Justice

The paper "Role of Poetry in Social Justice" is a great example of a dissertation on literature.... Justice has been a question of true or false over the ages.... Racism faith and nationalism have been the venues through which social injustices have been witnessed.... In the fight and quest of perceived human rights poetry is a clarion call to equality, opportunity, peace, and compassion for everyone....
33 Pages (8250 words) Dissertation

South Africa's Culture and Their Attempt in Preserving It

The country is conducting several programs for the people of south africa so that they become more responsible in the future for preserving their culture which is the pride of South Africa.... The population density of south africa is quite high.... From the year 2004, the Department of Arts and Culture in South Africa has supported and funded more than 400 projects for preserving and promoting the culture of south africa.... The government of south africa is also taking several initiatives for promoting and protecting their museums, monuments, outdoor art, heritage trails, etc....
14 Pages (3500 words) Term Paper
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us