A folk dance is a dance that reflects the life of the people of a certain country or region. Not all ethnic dances are folk dances. For example, ritual dances or dances of ritual origin are not considered to be folk dances. Ritual dances are usually called "religious dances" because of their purpose.
The terms "ethnic" and "traditional" are used when it is required to emphasize the cultural roots of the dance. In this sense, nearly all folk dances are ethnic ones. If some dances, such as polka, cross ethnic boundaries and even cross the boundary between "folk" and "ballroom dance", ethnic differences are often considerable enough to mention.[1]
Background[edit] Traditional dancers and performance during the Pulljay festivities in Tarabuco.Folk dances share several commonly recognized characteristics:
They are typically performed at social gatherings or community events by people with little or no professional training, often accompanied by traditional or folk music.[2] Folk dances generally originate as participatory social activities rather than as staged performances, although some may later be adapted or stylized for theatrical presentation.[3] Their form and execution are primarily guided by inherited traditions transmitted across generations, reflecting local or regional identities, though gradual adaptation and change are common.[4] New dancers typically learn through informal means—by observing, imitating, and receiving assistance from more experienced participants—rather than through formal instruction.[4][3]Modern social dances such as hip hop and other street styles he often evolved spontaneously within communities, but the term folk dance is generally not applied to them. Instead, they are more commonly referred to as street dances or vernacular dances.[5][6] The term folk dance is typically reserved for dance forms that are significantly bound by tradition and that originated during periods when a clear distinction existed between the dances of the “common folk” and those of the social elite, many of which later evolved into modern ballroom and theatrical dance forms.[7]
Europe[edit] Italians dancing the tarantella. Serbian folk group dancing at a festival. Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel. Turkey folk dance.Sword dances include traditional forms such as long sword dances and rapper dancing.[8] Some choreographed social dances, such as contra dance, Scottish highland dance, Scottish country dance, and modern Western square dance, are sometimes described as folk dances, though this usage is not accurate in the strictest ethnological sense.[6][9]
Country dance shares historical and stylistic features with both contemporary folk dance and ballroom dance. Many country and ballroom dances trace their origins to earlier folk traditions, hing undergone gradual refinement and formalization over time.[10][7]
Folk dances often developed long before the establishment of modern national or political boundaries, resulting in certain dance forms being shared across multiple countries and cultures. For example, several Serbian, Bulgarian, and Croatian dances exhibit closely related steps, styles, and musical structures, and in some cases even share the same names and melodies.[11][12][13]
International folk dance groups exist in many cities and on college campuses around the world, where participants learn and perform traditional dances from a wide variety of cultures for recreation and social connection.[14][15][6]
Balfolk refers to social dance events featuring live folk-inspired music, popular primarily in Western and Central Europe. The movement originated during the folk revival of the 1970s and has grown in popularity since around 2000. Balfolk events typically include partner dances that were fashionable across Europe in the late 19th century—such as the schottische, polka, mazurka, and waltz—along with a variety of regional and traditional dances, mainly from France, but also from Sweden, Spain, and other European countries.[16][17][6]
Varieties of European folk dances include:
Austrian folk dance Ball de bastons Ballet Barn dance Bulgarian dances Pro horo Paidushko horo Gankino horo Daychovo horo Circle dance Dutch crossing English country dance Fandango Flamenco Freilekhs Georgian dance Greek dances Hora International folk dance Irish dance Ceili dance Italian folk dance Tarantella Calabrian Tarantella Pizzica Monferrina Ballu tundu Jenkka Jota Kolo Ländler Maypole dance Morris dance Polka Polish folk dances Polonaise Oberek Krakowiak Mazurka Kujawiak Russian folk dance Turkish dance Ukrainian dance Verbuňk Nordic polska dance Schuhplattler Square dance Sword dance Weapon dance Welsh dance Zwiefacher Middle East, Central Asia and South Asia[edit]The regions of the Middle East, Central Asia, and South Asia are home to a vast array of folk dance traditions that reflect centuries of cultural exchange, migration, and shared heritage across ancient trade routes such as the Silk Road. Folk dances in these areas often feature rhythmic footwork, expressive gestures, and distinctive regional music, serving as integral parts of weddings, festivals, and communal celebrations. In the Middle East, circle and line dances such as the Dabke are performed across Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. Central Asian traditions include energetic group dances such as the Attan of Afghanistan and the Lezginka found across the Caucasus and Central Asia. In South Asia, folk dances such as Bhangra and Giddha from Punjab, Garba and Dandiya Raas from Gujarat, and the Kummi and Kolattam dances of southern India express agricultural, seasonal, and social themes through movement and music.[18][19][20][21]
Ardah Armenian dance Assyrian folk dance Azerbaijani dances Bihu, an Assamese dance celebrating the arrival of spring, traditionally the beginning of the Assamese New Year Attan - The national dance of Afghanistan. Also a popular folk dance of the Pashtun tribes of Pakistan, including the unique styles of Quetta and Waziristan in Pakistan. Belly Dance Bhangra, a Punjabi harvest dance in Pakistan and India, and a music style that has become popular worldwide. Chitrali Dance - Chitral, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. Circassian dance Circle dance Dabke, a folk dance of the Levant Domkach, folk dance of Bihar and Jharkhand, India Garba Circular Devotional dance from Gujarat danced the world over Israeli folk dance Kalbelia is one of the most sensuous dance forms of Rajasthan, performed by the kalbelia tribe Khattak Dance - Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. Khigga, a common folk dance among Assyrian people Kurdish dance Luri dances Lewa (folk dance) - Baluch folk dance in Pakistan. Mazanderani dances Middle Eastern Dance Chaap (traditional Baloch folk dance in Pakistan) Thabal chongba Kyushtdepdi - The national dance of Turkmenistan[22] Yowlah India[edit] For a more comprehensive list, see List of Indian folk dances.India has a rich and diverse tradition of folk dances, reflecting its regional, linguistic, and cultural variety. Nearly every state and community maintains distinctive dance forms associated with agricultural cycles, festivals, rituals, and social gatherings. In northern India, dances such as Bhangra and Giddha from Punjab and Rouf from Jammu and Kashmir celebrate seasonal and festive occasions, while in western India, Garba and Dandiya Raas from Gujarat, and Lani from Maharashtra, blend rhythm and storytelling. Eastern India features dances such as Chhau of Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, and Bihu from Assam, whereas in southern India, forms such as Kummi, Kolattam, and Oppana are performed during festivals and community events. These dances often emphasize collective participation, traditional costume, and regionally distinct music and instruments.[19][23][24][6]
East and Southeast Asia[edit]East and Southeast Asia encompass a wide range of folk dance traditions that reflect the region's diverse ethnic groups, religious influences, and historical interactions. In East Asia, dance forms such as Bon Odori in Japan, Yangge and Lion dances in China, and Talchum in Korea are performed during festivals and community celebrations, often combining music, costume, and symbolism. In Southeast Asia, folk and social dances like the Tinikling of the Philippines, Ramwong of Thailand, Apsara dance of Cambodia, Zapin of Malaysia, and Legong of Bali, Indonesia, express local legends, agricultural traditions, and ceremonial customs. Across the region, folk dances frequently serve as living expressions of cultural identity and communal harmony.[19][6][25][26]
China[edit] Main article: Dance in China § Traditional dances Yangge Cambodia[edit] Main article: Dance in Cambodia § Folk dance Cambodian Peacock dance. Romvong Rom kbach Robam Neary Chea Chuor[27] Peacock Dance Chhayam Cambodian Coconut Dance Cambodian Fish Dance Trot dance Indonesia[edit] Janese dancer performing Srimpi dance in Ja, Indonesia. Main article: Dance in Indonesia § Traditions Saman Japan[edit] Main article: Japanese traditional dance Bon dance Buyō, typical dance of the Japanese geishas or dance artists Rimse (Ainu people) Kachāshī (Okinawa) Korea[edit] Main article: Korean dance § Folk dance Nongak Malaysia[edit] Main article: Dance in Malaysia § Malay Folk Dances Zapin[28] Nepal[edit] Main article: Dance in Nepal Tamang Selo dance Jhaure dance Lakhey nach dance Newari dance Manjushree dance Kaura dance Majhi nach dance Raute dance Chhokara dance Khyali dance Maruni dance Deuda dance Chaulo dance Dhan Nach dance Madikhole dance Phagu (dance) Sorathi Sakela (Chandi) Singaru Tarbare Bajrayogini dance Charitra dance Jat-jatin Charya dance Hanuman dance Philippines[edit] Further information: Philippine dance Singkil, traditional folk dance of the Maranao people of the Philippines depicting parts of the epic poem, Darangen. Members from the Philippine Cultural Dancers group perform tinikling during the 2007 Asian Pacific Heritage Month celebration at the Kadena Air Base, Japan. Balse Marikina Benjan Binasuan Cariñosa Habañera Botoleña Itik-itik Kalesa Kuntao Silat Amil Bangsa Kuntaw Kuratsa La Jota Moncadena Lerion Magkasuyo Maglalatik Pagdiwata Pandanggo Pangalay Paraguanen Pista Sagayan Sayaw sa Bangko Singkil Subli Tiklos Tinikling Taiwan[edit] Bamboo dance (Amis people) South America[edit] This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Argentina[edit] Chacarera Bailecito Zamba Gato Cueca Chamamé Malambo Bolivia[edit] Bailecito Cueca Huayno Brazil[edit] Samba Chile[edit] Cueca Colombia[edit] Cumbia Peru[edit] Marinera Huayno Venezuela[edit] Gaita Zuliana Joropo Africa[edit] This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Angola[edit] Kizomba Cameroon[edit] Ambasse bey Assiko Bikutsi Ghana[edit] Adowa Agbadza Agbekor (Atamga) Kpanlogo Bobobo Alkayida Niger[edit] Bitti Harey North America[edit] This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) United States[edit] Clogging Contra dance form Country–western dance Modern dance Modern Western square dance Traditional square dance Zydeco (dance) Mexico[edit] Baile Folklorico (Mexico and Central America) Contradance Square Dance Dominican Republic[edit] Merengue Bachata Oceania[edit] This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Hula (Hawaii) Haka (New Zealand) Notable people[edit] This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (April 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Olivia Hussey Cheng Xiao The Mayyas Zhang Ziyi Gallery[edit] Körtánc - Hungarian (csango) folk dance. Kyushtdepdi. Assyrians dancing khigga. Mtiuluri. A Ball de bastons stick dance from Catalonia. Cyprus folk dance with glasses in Paphos. Macedonian female folk dance, Tresenica, performed by Tanec. Podhale Gorals dancing. Traditional Russian squat dancing. See also[edit] Look up folk dance in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. List of ethnic, regional, and folk dances sorted by origin International folk dance Dance basic topics, a list of general dance topics Balfolk, contemporary folk dance practised across Europe References[edit] ^ "Folk dance | Definition, Music, History, Types, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2022-12-10. ^ Buckland, Theresa. "Definitions of Folk Dance: Some Explorations." Folk Music Journal 4, no. 5 (1983): 281–296. JSTOR 4522127. ^ a b Zebec, Mira. "Tradition on the Stage: Dance and Transmission between Different Aesthetics." In Dance and Economy / Dance Transmission: Proceedings of the 31st Symposium of the ICTM Study Group on Ethnochoreology, edited by Anne von Bibra Wharton and Dalia Urbaničienė, 2022. ResearchGate. ^ a b Lykesas, Georgios, Koutsouba, Maria, and Tyrovola, Vassiliki. "The Transformation of Traditional Dance from Its First to Its Second Existence." International Journal of Education and Practice 5, no. 10 (2017): 147–157. ERIC EJ1166100. ^ Schloss, Joseph G. Foundation: B-boys, B-girls and Hip-Hop Culture in New York. Oxford University Press, 2009. ^ a b c d e f Thomas, Helen. The Routledge Encyclopedia of Dance Studies. Routledge, 2014. ^ a b Kealiʻinohomoku, Joann. "An Anthropologist Looks at Ballet as a Form of Ethnic Dance." In What Is Dance? Readings in Theory and Criticism, edited by Roger Copeland and Marshall Cohen. Oxford University Press, 1983 (orig. 1970). ^ Forrest, John. The History of Morris Dancing, 1458–1750. University of Toronto Press, 2011. ^ Sharp, Cecil J., and Karpeles, Maud. The Country Dance Book. London: Novello & Co., 1912. ^ Hilton, Wendy. Dance and Music of Court and Theater: Selected Writings of Wendy Hilton. Pendragon Press, 1990. ^ Rice, Timothy. Bulgaria: Songs from the Shopi Region. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2003. ^ Giurchescu, Anca, and László Felföldi. "Dance as Shared Culture: The Balkans as a Dance Area." In Dance and Society: Dancer as a Cultural Performer, edited by Elsie Ivancich Dunin et al., Nordic Institute of Folk Life, 1994. ^ Milošević, Vlastimir. Traditional Dances of Serbia: Their History and Development. Institute of Musicology SASA, 2019. ^ Shapiro, Shona. International Folk Dance: A Community for All Ages. Folk Dance Federation of California, 2008. ^ Tucker, Jonathan. The Folk Dance Handbook: Learning, Teaching, and Creating Community. Routledge, 2013. ^ Rühlmann, André. "The Balfolk Movement: Between Folk Tradition and Contemporary Social Dance." Yearbook for Traditional Music 47 (2015): 145–162. ^ Bithell, Caroline, and Juniper Hill, eds. The Oxford Handbook of Music Revival. Oxford University Press, 2014. ^ Shay, Anthony. Choreographic Politics: State Folk Dance Companies, Representation, and Power. Wesleyan University Press, 2005. ^ a b c Roy, Ananya. Dance in South Asia: Traditions and Transformations. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ^ Naroditskaya, Inna. Song from the Land of Fire: Continuity and Change in Azerbaijanian Mugham. Routledge, 2003. ^ Nahachewsky, Andriy. Ukrainian Dance: A Cross-Cultural Approach. McFarland, 2012. ^ V@DIM. "Golden age". www.turkmenistan.gov.tm. ^ Vatsyayan, Kapila. Indian Classical Dance. Publications Division, Government of India, 1974. ^ Srivasta, Ranjana. Folk Culture and Oral Tradition in India. Rawat Publications, 2004. ^ Wrazen, Louise. “Music and Dance in East and Southeast Asia.” In The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: East Asia: China, Japan, and Korea, edited by Robert C. Provine, Yosihiko Tokumaru, and J. Lawrence Witzleben. Routledge, 2007. ^ Hanna, Judith Lynne. Dance, Sex, and Gender: Signs of Identity, Dominance, Defiance, and Desire. University of Chicago Press, 1988. ^ Lytle 2023. ^ "Tarian Zapin – Yayasan Warisan Johor". Archived from the original on 2018-09-16. Retrieved 2017-05-25. Sources[edit] Lytle, Tiffany (2023-04-13). "Is My Body My Own?". Conversations Across the Field of Dance Studies. 42. doi:10.3998/conversations.3657. ISSN 2834-6823. External links[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Folk dance. Folk Dance Hawaii Dancilla (in German) Folklore People Community Folk Dance Folklore Festivals Folklore Festivals Archived 2014-12-18 at the Wayback Machine Society for International Folk Dancing French Folk Dances, Volume 1 to 3, by Karsten Evers and Ulrike Frydrych, Hildesheim and Eiterfeld, 1982, 1983 and 1987. Dance descriptions (in German), sheet music and audios.[permanent dead link] vteDance Index Outline List of dances List of dancers Participation Solo Partner close embrace closed position open position slow dance circle contra line round square Social Competitive Concert Ecstatic Erotic Go go dance Grinding Hoochie coochie Lap dance Neo-Burlesque Pole dance Striptease Table dance Twerking Folk Dance crazes Sacred Street War Styles Acro Ballet Ballroom formation waltz Belly Boogaloo Breaking Contemporary Country–western Flamenco Hip-hop Historical Jazz Latin Lyrical Modern Polka Postmodern Swing Tap Two-step Technique Ballet Choreography Connection Dance theory Graham Lead and follow Moves glossary Musicality Pointe Pole Sequence Spotting Turnout Turns Regional(nationaldances) Africa Albania Arab Armenia Assyrian Australia Austria Azerbaijan Belarus Bulgaria Burma (Myanmar) Cambodia Cameroon Canada China Croatia Cuba Denmark Europe Faroe Islands Georgia Greece Haiti Hungary India Indonesia Bali Ja Sunda Iran Ireland Israel Italy Japan Kiribati Korea Kurdish Malaysia Mexico Middle East Nepal Netherlands Nicaragua Peru Philippines Poland Kujawiak Pontic Greek Romani Russia Serbia Singapore Sri Lanka Thailand Turkey Ukraine United States African-American Uzbekistan Venezuela Vietnam Wales Wallis and Futuna Zimbabwe Related Dance and disability Dance and health Dance awards Dance costume Dance etiquette Dance notation Dance in film Dance in mythology and religion Dance occupations Dance on television Dance research Dance science Dance technology Dance troupe Dancing mania History of dance Women in dance vteStreet danceHip-hop 2 step Breakdancing Toprock Downrock Freezes Power moves Boogaloo Bird Walk Cabbage Patch Cat Daddy Chicken Noodle Soup Crank That Crip Walk Cupid Shuffle Dab Dougie Electric boogaloo Gangsta Walking Harlem shake John Wall Jerkin' Krumping Laffy Taffy Lean wit It, Rock wit It Locking Popping Robot Running man Shoulder Lean Stanky Legg Twerking Turfing Uprock Wop Wu-tang House dance Footwork Hustle Jacking Vogue Re dance Electro dance Hakken Hard dance Industrial Jumpstyle Liquid and digits Melbourne shuffle Para Para Rebolation Wu-tang X-Outing Jazz dance Cakewalk Charleston Lindy Hop Swing Tap dance Other Air guitar Azonto Budots Capoeira Dancehall dances Flexing Flossing Folk dance Clogging Headbanging Grinding Moshing Moonwalk Novelty and fad dances Pantsula Pogo Salsa Gwoka Tango Waacking vteCircle danceTypes Adana An dro Assyrian khigga Ballu tundu Berd Cachua Dabke Dances of Universal Peace Faroese Ganggangsullae Ghost dance Halay Hora Karikázó Khorovod Kolo Körtánc Kurdish dance Letkajenkka Mayim Mayim Pontic Greek Sama dhikr Sufi whirling Syrtos Sogdian Whirl dance Tamzara Tarantella Thabal chongba Tresenica Related Barmaley Fountain Circumambulation Ecstatic dance Folk dance Mazes, Labyrinths, and Dancing-Paths: Labyrinth of Crete Ariadne Dionysus Caerdroia Troy Town Maenad Cult of Dionysus Participation dance Ring a Ring o' Roses Sama and Sufi whirling: Dhikr Mevlevi Order Sacred dance Bernhard Wosien List of dances Authority control databases InternationalGNDNationalUnited StatesFranceBnF dataJapan2Czech RepublicIsraelOtherNARA