NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Vernacular dance

The word 'vernacular' is used here in much the same as it is in reference to vernacular language. To quote from the first language page, vernacular (or first language) languages "are learned naturally without formal instruction, such as through cultural immersion before puberty. Often a child learns the basics of his or her first languages from his or her family." The vernacular is the native language of a country or locality. ... First language (native language, mother tongue, or vernacular) is the language a person learns first. ...

Much the same comments may be made about vernacular dances: vernacular dances are those learned naturally without formal instruction, such as through cultural immersion before puberty. Often a child learns the basics of their first dances from their family.

Vernacular dances often develop with close close relationships to music, such as salsa (dance) and salsa music and lindy hop and jazz music. As a result, there are often clear structural relations between vernacular dances and vernacular music, and they often reflect similar artistic and creative values (such as improvisation or approaches to tempo and timing. Salsa dancing. ... Salsa music is a diverse and predominantly Caribbean and Latin genre that is popular across Latin America and among Latinos abroad. ... Lindy Hop is an African American vernacular dance which evolved in Harlem, New York, United States in the late 1920s and early 1930s. ... Jazz is an original American musical art form originating around the early 1920s in New Orleans, rooted in Western music technique and theory, and is marked by the profound cultural contributions of African Americans. ... Improvisation is the act of making something up as it is performed. ... In musical terminology, tempo (Italian for time) is the speed or pace of a given piece. ... Timing refers to how events are spaced in time. ...

Vernacular dances share much in common with folk dances, yet unlike these largely historical forms, vernacular dances frequently place great emphases on improvisation, and are characterised by ongoing change and development in steps, styles and social dancing cultures. Because they exist in social spaces and their main 'purpose' is self-expression, they are continually changing to reflect the needs, interests and personalities of their participants. They are also often characterised by their 'stealing' or 'borrowing' from other dance traditions and any particular vernacular dance shows clear evidence of its relationship to other, earlier dances. Folk dance is a term used to describe a large number of dances that tend to share the following attributes: They were originally danced in about the 19th century or earlier (or are, in any case, not currently copyrighted); Their performance is dominated by an inherited tradition rather than by... Improvisation is the act of making something up as it is performed. ... Biss second full length proper. ...

While vernacular dances are often influenced by social institutions in the communities in which they exist (such as religion, economics and so on), they are not regulated by any clear body or organisation. There are no 'official' rules. However, their close relationship with other social structures and conventions within a community means that vernacular dances usually reflect the social values, mores and traditions of their local community, for example, in terms of gender roles. A bagpiper in military uniform. ...

Vernacular dances and dance cultures

African American vernacular dances are those dances which have developed within African American communities in everyday spaces, rather than in dance studios, schools or companies. ... Breakdancer in Ljubljana. ... Look up salsa on Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Tango in the streets of Buenos Aires. ... See Mambo (CMS) for the Content Management System Mambo is a Cuban musical form and dance style. ... Merengue can mean either: A style of music originating in the Dominican Republic; see merengue (music) A related style of dance; see merengue (dance) See also meringue, a type of dessert. ...