War dance

For other uses, see War dance (disambiguation).

Papuan war dance from Yapen, Papua province, Indonesia.

A war dance is a dance involving mock combat, usually in reference to tribal warrior societies where such dances were performed as a ritual connected with endemic warfare. Martial arts in various cultures can be performed in dance-like settings for various reasons, such as for evoking ferocity in preparation for battle or showing off skill in a more stylized manner. It could also be for celebration of valor and conquest. Many such martial arts incorporate music, especially strong percussive rhythms.

War dances

Examples of such war dances include:

Capoeira is a martial art traditionally performed with a dance-like flavor and to live musical accompaniment, as seen depicted here.

• Al-Arda al-Barriya - In Kuwait.
• it-Taḥṭīb in Egypt
• Al-Yolah rifle performance - Oman and the United Arab Emirates
• Ayyalah - Qatar
• Khattak - Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Panther Dance - Burmese Bando with swords (dha)
• Baris from Bali, Indonesia
• Cakalele - Maluku, Indonesia
• Kabasaran - Minahasa people, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
• Aduk-Aduk - Brunei
• Haka - Māori people of New Zealand
• Cibi - Fiji
• Hopak - Ukraine
• Hula & Kapu Kuialua -- Native Hawaiians
• Kailao - Wallis, adopted by Tonga
• Gymnopaedia - ancient Sparta
• Pentozali - Crete
• European Sword dance or Weapon dance of various kinds
• Reggada - Riffian people
• Dirk dance and Scottish sword dances - Scotland
• Sabre Dance - depicted in Khachaturian's ballet Gayane
• Buza - From Russia
• Yarkhushta (Յարխուշտա) - Armenia
• Khorumi (ხორუმი) - Georgia
• Indlamu - Zulu people
• Maasai moran (warrior age-set) dances
• Bende War Dance [Nigeria - Abia State] Ogbuebulle
• Brazil's Capoeira, as well as some similar Afro-Caribbean arts

See also

• Battle cry
• Display behaviour
• Kata
• Martial music
• Military drill
• Show of force
• Weasel war dance