NATIONAL DANCES

IN THE 7
CONTINENTS OF THE WORLD

Submitted by:
Girlie Ann B. De Guzman
BSE III PEHM

Submitted to:
Mr. Hilarion Olimpo
PEHM Dept. Head
National Dances in Asia

Afganistan Attan

It is a form of dance that originated in the Pashtun regions of

eastern Afghanistan and Northwest Pakistan. Attan began as a folk dance
conducted by Pashtuns in times of war or during weddings or other
celebrations (engagements, new year, and informal gatherings). It is now
considered the national dance of Afghanistan. The performance of attan
dance in the open air has long been customary in the Pashtun culture. Attan
is a special type of dance performed by a troupe of 50 to 100 dancers who
wave red scarves in the air while musicians beat drums. This dance is
common among the Pashtuns of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the ruling
elite promoted it as the national dance of Afghanistan.

Brunei - Adai-Adai

It is a traditional Brunei Malay dance that originated from Kampung Ayer. It

depicts life in Bruneis water villages and fishing as the main livelihood of
people back then, says Haji Sisa Nayan, a 64-year-old musician. Zoom in on
the movements of dancers performing the Adai-Adai and you would clearly
see artistic depictions of life in a fishing community. Haji Sisa says that when
you observe the Adai-Adai dance closely, you could see that one of the
movements portray the use of an oar as if mimicking the movement of a
person paddling a boat. The idea behind this move, he adds, could have
been inspired by how mobility in the water villages in the old days depended
heavily on paddling boats.

Malaysia Zapin

It is a Malay dance form that is popular in Malaysia (especially in the state

of Johor, Pahang and Selangor),in Indonesia, especially in Malay-populated
provinces in Sumatera (Riau Province, Jambi province, Riau Islands
Province, North Sumatera, and Bangka-Belitung Islands) and West
Kalimantan, and in other Malay populated countries. The dancers usually
perform in pairs and are accompanied by a traditional music ensemble which
normally consists of the gambus, accordion, rebab, marwas (bongos),
rebana (drum) and dok.
Cyprus - Sousta

It is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced

in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with
a lyre(Cretan and Pontian) (or violin), laouto,
and mandolin (or askomandoura). There are elements
of eroticism and courtship acted out in the dance, which is usually performed
by pairs of men and women dancing opposite. Another form is where all the
dancers in a row follow the first dancer who moves in complex patterns

India - Bharatanatyam or Bharathanatiyam

It is a major genre of Indian classical dance that originated in Tamil Nadu.

Traditionally, Bharatanatyam has been a solo dance that was performed
exclusively by women, and expressed Hindu religious themes and spiritual
ideas, particularly of Shaivism, but also of Vaishnavism and Shaktism.

China - Lion dance

It is a form of traditional dance in Chinese culture and other Asian countries

in which performers mimic a lion's movements in a lion costume. The lion
dance is usually performed during the Chinese New Year and other Chinese
traditional, cultural and religious festivals. It may also be performed at
important occasions such as business opening events, special celebrations or
wedding ceremonies, or may be used to honour special guests by the
Chinese communities.

Korea - Buchaechum

It is a traditional form of Korean dance also called a fan dance, usually

performed by groups of Korean female dancers. Koreans use this dance
during many celebrations. Dancers use large fans painted with
pink peony blossoms and display a show of dance. In the dance being
performed, the dancers represent shaped images using the fans e.g. birds,
flowers, butterflies and waves. They wear brightly coloured hanboks, the
Korean traditional dress.

Iran - Persian dance or Iranian dance

It refers to the dance styles indigenous to Iran. Genres of dance in Iran vary
depending on the area, culture, and language of the local people, and can
range from sophisticated reconstructions of refined court dances to energetic
folk dances. The population of Iran includes many ethnicities, such as Kurds,
Turkmen, Jews, Armenian, Georgian peoples, in addition to numerous Iranian
tribal groups which can be found within the borders of modern-day Iran.

Indonesia - Legong

It is probably originated in the 19th century as royal entertainment. Legend

has it that a prince of Sukwati fell ill and had a vivid dream in which two
maidens danced to gamelan music. When he recovered, he arranged for
such dances to be performed in reality. Others believe that the Legong
originated with the sanghyang dedari, a ceremony involving
[1]
voluntary possession of two little girls by beneficent spirits. Legong is also
danced at public festivals. Excerpts from Legong dance dramas are put on
for tourists.

Pakistan - Khattak dance

It is a swift martial attan dance usually performed while carrying a sword and
a handkerchief by the tribesmen from the agile Khattak tribe
of Pashtuns in Pakistan and some eastern parts of Afghanistan. It was
performed by Khattak warriors before going to wars in the time of Malik
Shahbaz Khan Khattak, and then Khushal Khan Khattak. It was used as a war-
preparation exercise and is known to be the only dance with swordplay.

National Dances in North America

Canada - Canadian stepdance

It also known as Maritimes stepdance, is a unique style of stepdance

in Canada, stemming from European origins including France, Scotland and
Ireland.[1] Canadian stepdancing involves fast dancing to fiddle music using
shoes with taps designed to accentuate the dancers rhythmical, drumming
foot movements. Dancers generally require little dance space to perform
their routines. Some styles of Canadian stepdancing include upper-body
postures that are relatively relaxed compared with older stepdance styles,
allowing occasional arm movements that flow with the rhythm of the dance,
or hands on hips.
Jamaica - Quadrille

It is a dance that was fashionable in late 18th- and 19th-century Europe and
its colonies. Performed by four couples in a rectangular formation, it is
related to American square dancing. The Lancers, a variant of the quadrille,
became popular in the late 19th century and was still danced in the 20th
century in folk-dance clubs. A derivative found in the Francophone Lesser
Antilles is known as kwadril, and the dance is also still found
in Madagascar and is within old Jamaican / Caribbean culture.

Mexico - Jarabe Tapato

It is better known internationally as "The Mexican Hat Dance", is a popular

Mexican dance. The dance represents the courtship of a man and a woman,
with the woman first rejecting the mans advances, then eventually
accepting them.[4] It has a definite sexual component in metaphor, which was
the original reason for disapproval by authorities.

Cuba - Danzn

It is the official musical genre and dance of Cuba. It is also an active musical
form in Mexico, and is still much loved in Puerto Rico. Written in 2/4 time, the
danzn is a slow, formal partner dance, requiring set
footwork around syncopated beats, and incorporating elegant pauses while
the couples stand listening to virtuoso instrumental passages, as
characteristically played by a charanga or tipica ensemble.

Panama - El Tamborito

It is literally translated to the Little Drum, is a genre

of Panamanian folkloric music and dance dating back as early as the 17th
century. The Tamborito is the national song and dance of Panama. The dance
is a romantic, couples dance, often involving a small percussion ensemble,
and in all versions; a female chorus. The Tamborito is performed in
formal costumes in front of large, interactive crowds that form a large circle
around the performers. The members of such crowds often participate in the
percussion of the song as well as the actual dance itself. The Tamborito is
most commonly performed during Panamanian festivals, and in particular,
the Panama Carnival.

Haiti - Cadence rampa

Or simply kadans. It is a modern mringue popularized in the Caribbean by
the virtuoso Haitian sax player Webert Sicot in the early 1960s. Cadence
rampa was one of the sources of cadence-lypso. Cadence music is
characterized by a constant up tempo rhythm, hence the name cadence. Its
percussive aspect come from the drum (in particular, the steady one-beat
bass drum), an accentuated use of cymbals and, to a lesser extent, the high
hat plus a distinct beat of the cowbell, tok, to-tok, tok-tok-tok, and a conga
drum beating a dash of mringue.

Bahamas - Junkanoo

It is a street parade with music, dance, and costumes of Akan origin in many towns
across the Bahamas every Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year's Day (January
1), the same as "Kakamotobi" or the Fancy Dress Festival. The largest Junkanoo
parade happens in the capital New Providence. There are also Junkanoo parades
in Miami in June and Key West in October, where local black American populations
have their roots in The Bahamas. In addition to being a culture dance for
the Garifuna people,[1][2] this type of dancing is also performed in The Bahamas on
Independence day and other historical holidays. Dances are choreographed to the
beat of goatskin drums and cowbells.

Guatemala - Baile de la Conquista

Or Dance of the Conquest is a traditional folkloric dance from Guatemala.

The dance reenacts the invasion led by Spanish Conquistador Don Pedro de
Alvarado y Contreras and his confrontation with the K'iche' Maya ruler Tecn
Umn. Although the dance is more closely associated with Guatemalan
traditions, it has been performed in early colonial regions of Latin America at
the urging of Catholic friars and priests, as a method of converting various
native populations and African slaves to Christianity.

Saint lucia - Kwadrils

These are social occasions held in private homes; Lucian kwadrils were formerly
viewed as old-fashioned, but are increasingly being adopted as a symbol of Lucian
culture. These kwadrils are very formalized, and are accompanied by
a cuatro, rattle, chak-chak, violin, banjo and bones (zo). It consists of five separate
dances: the pwmy fidji, dzym fidji, twazym fidji, katwiym
fidji (also avantwa or lanmen dwt) and gwan won (also grande rond). The
musicians may also use a lakonmt (mazurka), schottische or polka; the lakonmt,
also called the mazouk, is especially popular and is the only closed couple dance
which originated in Saint Lucia

Honduras Punta
It is a Garifuna music and dance style performed at celebrations and festive
occasions. (Garifuna music and dance was created by the Garifuna people of
present-day St. Vincent and Dominica.)

National Dance in South America

Argentina Tango

It is a partner dance that originated in the 1880s along the River Plate, the natural
border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world.
Early tango was known as tango criollo (Creole tango). Today, there are many forms
of tango extant. Popularly and among tango dancing circles, the authentic tango is
considered to be the one closest to the form originally danced in Argentina and
Uruguay

Brazil - Samba

is a lively, rhythmical dance of Afro-Brazilian origin in 2/4 time danced to Samba

music whose origins include the Maxixe. Samba is a dance authentic to
black/African people in Brazil who brought much of their music and dance culture
into Latin America with, them upon arrival into many Latin American countries.
Samba music is very similar to and has been influenced by many Angolan music
genres. It has also been influenced by many other Latin American music genres and
dances. The Samba music rhythm has been danced in Brazil since its inception in
the late 16th century. There is actually a set of dances, rather than a single dance,
that define the Samba dancing scene in Brazil; however, no one dance can be
claimed with certainty as the "original" Samba style.

Chile - Cueca

It is a family of musical styles and associated dances

from Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. In Chile, the cueca holds the status of national
dance, where it was officially selected on September 18, 1979. The clothing worn
during the cueca dance is very traditional Chilean clothes. They wear black
costumes or dresses. The men in the dance wear the huaso's hat, shirts, flannel
poncho, riding pants and boots, short jacket, riding boots, and spurs.

Ecuador - Pasillo
It is a South American genre of music extremely popular in the territories that
composed the 19th century Viceroyalty of New Granada and Gran Colombia: Borns
in Gran Colombia, spread in the territory, especially Ecuador (where it is considered
the national musical style), and to a lesser extent in the mountainous regions
of Venezuela and Panama. Venezuelans refer to this style of music as "vals"
(Spanish for "Waltz").

Paraguay - Danza Paraguaya

It is a style of music created in Paraguay in the 19th century. The Paraguayan polka
is very different from the traditional polka, mainly because the Paraguayan version
combines ternary and binary rhythms, whereas the European only uses binary. The
juxtaposition of the mentioned rhythms gives the peculiar sound that characterizes
this style. There are several variants of the Paraguayan polka such as polca
syryry, polca kyre'y, polca popo, polca saraki, polca galopa, polca jekutu. All of them
are slightly different because of the different influences and styles adopted by the
composers in the early years of the Paraguayan polka.

Peru - Marinera

It is a coastal dance of Peru. Marinera is a graceful and romantic couple's dance that
uses handkerchiefs as props. The dance is an elegant and stylized reenactment of a
courtship, and it shows a blend of the different cultures of Peru. The dance itself has
gained a lot of recognition and is one of the most popular traditional dances of Peru.
Traditional accompaniment for the dance is
provided cajn, clarinets, guitars, drums, and bugles.

Suriname Kaseko

It is a musical genre from Suriname, a fusion of African, European and American

styles. The term kaseko derives from casser le corps (break the body) which
referred to a swift dance during the period when slavery was legal in the
region. Kaseko is related to other local styles, such as winti and kawina; like them, it
uses call-and-response vocals and complex rhythms. Instruments
include drums, saxophone, trumpet and, sometimes, a trombone.

Uruguay - Candombe

It is an Uruguayan music and dance that comes from African slaves. It is considered
an important aspect of the culture of Uruguay and was recognized by UNESCO as a
World Cultural Heritage of humanity. To a lesser extent, Candombe is practiced in
Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. This Uruguayan music style is based on three
different drums: chico, repique and piano drums. This music style is usually played
in February during carnival in Montevideo, Uruguay at dance parades called
"Llamadas" and "Desfile Innaugural del Carnaval".

Guyana - Soca music

(also defined by Lord Shorty its inventor as the Soul Of Calypso) is a genre
of Caribbean music that originated within a marginalized subculture in the Trinidad
and Tobago in the early 1970s, and developed into a range of styles in the 1980s
and later. Soca was initially developed by Lord Shorty around 1972/1973 in an effort
to improve traditional calypso which seemed to be on its dying legs in Trinidad by
the start of the 1970's with the rise in popularity of reggae from Jamaica and soul &
funk from USA with the younger generation.

Venezuela - Joropo

It is a musical style resembling the fandango, and an accompanying dance. It

has African, Native South American and European influences and originated in the
plains called "Los Llanos" of what is now Venezuela and Colombia. It is a
fundamental genre of msica criolla (creole music). It is also the most popular "folk
rhythm": the well-known song "Alma Llanera" is a joropo, considered the unofficial
national anthem of Venezuela.

National Dances in Europe

Albania Shota

It is an Albanian dance very popular in Albania and Kosovo. It involves synchronized

steps, and a strong rhythm. It is one of the most well known dances/songs from that
region, and is commonly played at weddings, folk festivals and other events. During
the 1960s this dance was performed in Belgrade based on the choreography of Olga
Skovran. One folklore musical ensemble in SFR Yugoslavia was named ota. In
March 2013 the Assembly of Republic of Kosovo approved a law which regulates the
functioning of cultural-artistic activities of the National Ensemble of Songs and
Dances "Shota".

Bulgaria - Horo

It is not necessary to be in a circle, a curving line of people is also acceptable. The

steps used in a horo dance are extremely diverse and not just two or three steps
forward and one step back. The horo may vary between three and seven or eight
steps forward and one to five or six steps back depending on the specific type.

Finland - Jenkka

It is a fast Finnish partner dance originated in Finnish folk dance, the Finnish version
of Schottische. It is danced to the music in 2/4 or 4/4 time signature of about
140 beats per minute. Men and women do similar steps. The initial dance position is
the man is to the left of the woman both facing in the direction of the line of dance,
with their inner arms on each other's waists. The dancers go forward in a run similar
to Polka: "left-right-left-hop(on the left foot)", "right-left-right-hop".
Hungary Csrds

It is a traditional Hungarian folk dance, the name derived from csrda (old
Hungarian term for tavern). It originated in Hungary and was popularized by Romani
music (Cigny) bands in Hungary and neighboring lands
of Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Burgenland, Croatia, Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Transylva
nia and Moravia, as well as among the Banat Bulgarians, including those in Bulgaria.

Netherlands - "Folkloristisch

It sometimes called "Boerendansen" ("farmer-dancing") or "Klompendansen" (clog

dancing). Wooden shoes are worn as an essential part of the traditional costume for
Dutch clogging, or Klompendanskunst. Clogs for dancing are made lighter than the
traditional 700-year-old design. The soles are made from ash wood, and the top part
is cut lower by the ankle. Dancers create a rhythm by tapping the toes and heels on
a wooden floor. In 2006, nearly 500 teenagers attempted the "Guinness Book of
World Records" bid for the largest number of clog dancers. It took place in The
Hague. They were dancing the ballet version of the Dutch clog dance rather than
the folk version. The ballet La fille mal garde contains a well-known clog dance. For
this specific dance the choreography was created by Stanley Holden (19282007),
though Frederick Ashton took overall responsibility for it.

Norway - Halling

It can best be described as rhythmic acrobatic dance and consists of a number of

steps which requires both strength and softness elation. The dance is associated
with the valleys and traditional districts of Valdres and Hallingdal, where it is often
referred to as the laus (loose dance). The term refers to it being danced solo, not in
couples (although coupled halling dancing is traditional in the western parts of the
country). According to some scholars, the word may refer to the fact that the dance
was "half" the performance, as the other half was the springar (after the fashion of
a Renaissance dance suite).

Serbia Kolo or Oro

It is danced primarily by people from Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Bela
krajina region of Slovenia. It is performed amongst groups of people (usually several
dozen, at the very least three) holding each other's having their hands around each
other's waists (ideally in a circle, hence the name). There is almost no movement
above the waist. The basic steps are easy to learn, but experienced dancers dance
kolo with great virtuosity due to different ornamental elements they add, such
as syncopated steps. Each region has at least one unique kolo; it is difficult to
master the dance and even most experienced dancers cannot master all of them.

Switzerland Schottische
It is a partnered country dance, that apparently originated in Bohemia. It was
popular in Victorian era ballrooms as a part of the Bohemian folk-dance craze and
left its traces in folk music of countries. The schottische basic step is made up of
two sidesteps to the left and right, followed by a turn in four steps. In some
countries, the sidesteps and turn are replaced by Strathspey hopping steps.

Turkey Zeybek

It is a form of folk dance peculiar to Western, Central and

southern Anatolia in Turkey. It is named after the Zeybeks. All zeybek dances have a
common characteristic form, but the positioning of the arms and body differ
according to the different regions. The rhythm is also very characteristic, a pattern
of nine slow beats: 9
4 = 4 + 4 + 1 beats or 2 + 2 + 2 + 3 with occasional variations. Zeybek melodies
can be divided according to their tempo: ar (slow) and kvrak (fast).

Ukraine Hopak

It is also referred to as Gopak or Cossack dance, is a national Ukrainian dance. It

is performed most often as a solitary concert dance by amateur and professional
Ukrainian dance ensembles, as well as other performers of folk dances. It has also
been incorporated into larger artistic opuses such as operas and ballets. The Hopak
is often popularly referred to as the "National Dance of Ukraine". There are similar
folkloric dance tunes known as Sirmpain Leros Greece.

National dances in Africa

Egypt - Raqs sharqi

It is the classical Egyptian style of belly dance that developed during the first half of
the 20th century. Based on the traditional ghawazi and other folk styles and formed
by western influences such as marching bands, the Russian ballet, Latin dance, etc.,
this hybrid style was performed in the cabarets of interbellum period Egypt and in
early Egyptian cinema. The style is often considered the classical style of belly
dance, although that term historically referred to the ghawazi style, and today
covers a much wider range of Middle Eastern dance as well as Western styles
developed from them.

Ethiopia Eskista

It is a traditional Ethiopian dance performed by both men and women that is known
for its unique emphasis on intense shoulder movement. The dance is characterized
by rolling the shoulder blades, bouncing the shoulders, and jilting the chest. Eskista
is typically performed to traditional Ethiopian music, but can often be incorporated
into modern forms of music such as is played in modern Ethiopian music videos. The
complex nature of eskista makes it one of the most highly technical forms
of traditional dance.

Madagascar - Hiragasy

It is a musical tradition in Madagascar and particularly among the Merinaethnic

group of the Highland regions around the capital of Antananarivo. The hiragasy is a
day-long spectacle of music, dance, and kabary oratory performed by a troupe
(typically related by blood or marriage and of rural origin) or as a competition
between two troupes.

Morocco - Gnawa music

It is a rich North Africanrepertoire of ancient African Islamic spiritual religious songs

and rhythms. Its well-preserved heritage combines ritual poetry with traditional
music and dancing. The music is performed at lila, entire communal nights of
celebration dedicated to prayer and healing guided by the Gnawa maalem, or
master musician, and their group of musicians and dancers. Though many of the
influences that formed this music can be traced to sub-Saharan West-Africa, its
traditional practice is concentrated in Morocco and the Bchar Province in
southwestern Algeria. Nowadays, Gnawa music has spread through many other
countries in Africa and Europe, such as France.

Mozambique - Tufo

It is a traditional dance in Northern Mozambique. The dance is performed by groups

of women and is found in Maputo, the provinces of Cabo Delgado and Nampula and
the Island of Mozambique. Of Arab origin, the dance is performed to
celebrate Islamic festivals and holidays. The dance is traditionally performed by
dancers moving just the top halves of their bodies and accompanied by songs
and tambourine-like drums.

Somalia Dhaanto

It is a style of traditional Somali music and folk dance. It is specific to

certain Somali-speaking areas in the Horn region. The dance-song was revived
during the Dervish period in the early 20th century, when it was used to raise the
'spirts' of soldiers and was often sung on horseback. Additionally, the genre was
employed in Islamic poetry.

Senegal - Mbalax

It is the national popular dance music of Senegal and the Gambia. Mbalax is a fusion
of popular Western music and dance such as jazz, soul, Latin, and rock blended
with sabar, the traditional drumming and dance music of Senegal. The genre's
name derived from the heavy use of accompanying rhythms used
in sabar called mbalax.

South Africa - Gumboot dance

It is an African dance that is performed by dancers wearing wellington boots.

In South Africa these are more commonly called gumboots. The boots may be
embellished with bells, so that they ring as the dancers stamp on the ground. This
sound would be a code or a different calling to say something to another person a
short distance away. This was used to communicate in the mines as there was
strictly no talking otherwise there would be severe, drastic punishments at the
discretion of their superior.

Ghana Adowa

It is a traditional dance by the Ashanti people of Ashanti. It is a popular dance

in Ashanti and they are performed at cultural ceremonies like funerals, festivals,
important gatherings, etc.

Eritrea - Tigrinya dancing

It involves two main styles of dance. In the first which is called 'quda', the dancers
form a circle and slowly circumambulator or move around in an endless circular
motion to the rhythm of the music. Then, they cease the circular musical
flow/motion and dance in pairs or 3's facing each other for a short while before
resuming the circular motion in a file again.

National Dances in Australia

Fiji Meke

It is a broad term in the Fijian language, primarily referring to all traditional style of
dance. It is a cognate of the words maka (Rotuman) and mele in Hawaiian. It is
typically performed during celebrations and festivals. Traditionally the dances that
comprise the meke art form are performed by groups of men or women only.
However, foreign influences such as the male/female Tongan mauluulu becoming
the Fijian vakamalolo, are evident throughout.

New Zealand Haka

It is a traditional war cry, dance, or challenge from the Maori people of New
Zealand. It is a posture dance performed by a group, with vigorous movements and
stamping of the feet with rhythmically shouted accompaniment.
Australia Corroboree

It is an event where Australian aborigines interact with the dreamtime through

dance, music and costume. Their bodies painted in different ways, and they wore
various adornments, which were not used every day.

Papua New Guinea Sing sing

It is a gathering of few tribes or villages in Papua New Guinea. People arrive to show
their distinct culture, dance and music. The aim of these gatherings is to peacefully
share traditions. Villagers paint and decorate themselves for sing-sings.

Samoa Taualuga

It is a traditional Samoan dance, considered the apex of Samoan performance art

forms and the centerpiece of the culture of Samoa. This dance form

National Dances in Antartica (Territorial claims of Antartica)

Argentina Tango

It is a partner dance that originated in the 1880s along the River Plate, the natural
border between Argentina and Uruguay, and soon spread to the rest of the world.
Early tango was known as tango criollo (Creole tango). Today, there are many forms
of tango extant. Popularly and among tango dancing circles, the authentic tango is
considered to be the one closest to the form originally danced in Argentina and
Uruguay.

Australia Corroboree

It is an event where Australian aborigines interact with the dreamtime through

dance, music and costume. Their bodies painted in different ways, and they wore
various adornments, which were not used every day.

Chile Cueca

It is a family of musical styles and associated dances

from Argentina, Chile and Bolivia. In Chile, the cueca holds the status of national
dance, where it was officially selected on September 18, 1979. The clothing worn
during the cueca dance is very traditional Chilean clothes. They wear black
costumes or dresses. The men in the dance wear the huaso's hat, shirts, flannel
poncho, riding pants and boots, short jacket, riding boots, and spurs.

Norway - Halling

It can best be described as rhythmic acrobatic dance and consists of a number of

steps which requires both strength and softness elation. The dance is associated
with the valleys and traditional districts of Valdres and Hallingdal, where it is often
referred to as the laus (loose dance). The term refers to it being danced solo, not in
couples (although coupled halling dancing is traditional in the western parts of the
country). According to some scholars, the word may refer to the fact that the dance
was "half" the performance, as the other half was the springar (after the fashion of
a Renaissance dance suite).