Traditional Chinese Dance

Traditonal Chinese dance seems as if it dates back to the beginning of time, with its impressive range of expression and traditions over the years. Read on for some information into the background of Chinese dancing, and how it continues to impress us today.

Traditional Chinese dance dates back to the days of the first written Chinese word. Artifacts have been found by archaeologists and historians that suggest the Chinese people of the 4th millennium (B.C.) were already heavily involved with creating choreographed dance. These early dances were most likely performed by common people groups and involved dancers locking arms, stamping their feet, and participating in other sounds and movement accompanied by musical instruments.

During the last millennium B.C., Chinese dance styles were divided into two distinct groups – military and civilian dance. The latter incorporated props such as feathers and banners to celebrate every day activities, such as hunting and fishing. With a completely different perspective on life, military dancers carried weapons and practiced much more precise and synchronized motions. This kept the military in top physical shape, and were often used as exercises throughout the years following.

No matter where the locale or what people group happened to be partaking in the movement, traditional Chinese dance was always an emotional expression – be it joyful or full of conflicting emotions.

So how does traditional Chinese dance look today? It has evolved into a much bigger mainstream persona than ever before, as Chinese students of movement study not only ancient dances, but more modern schools of technique as well. These include ballet and modern dance, as well as experimental dance theatre. Modern Chinese dance is considered to have started in 1970, and continues today as new, up and coming dancers hone their craft and create new and more impressive masterpieces.

Using modern dance forms as their foundation, today’s Chinese dance companies flourish. The Cloud Gate Dance Troupe of China is one such example of this. They based their start off of Martha Graham’s technique style and started to fuse it together with Chinese opera. The results are stunning and can often be viewed in performances both nationally and abroad.

The New York Chinese Cultural Center is another group promoting both modern spins on traditionalism, while also preserving the roots and heritage of Chinese dance. It began in the mid-1970s with the mission to both educate and celebrate Chinese art forms, in which dance plays a huge role. Dance China NY is the touring company of this cultural center, and enjoys talented dancers that perform all over the world. In one year, they can perform over 750 times through both stage workshops and formal theatre productions.

Outside of international acclaim, every minority group located within the boundaries of China holds true to its own folk dance traditions. Chinese dance is important to all divided cultures making up the nation’s expansive population, and can even incorporate singing as well. Aboriginal descendants of Taiwan have also added to the creativity of traditional Chinese dance in smaller people groups, with their choreography perfectly capturing the day to day life of China’s citizens through gorgeous illustrations of movement.

Today, a visitor to China can enjoy both mainsteam performances featuring China’s most excellent elitists in the arenas of ballet and modern dance, as well as cultural choreography not found anywhere else. It is this blend of modern progressiveness and authentic heritage that makes China a wonderful place for dance – either as a performer or spectator.

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