thumb|300px|Traditional [[Valencian dances.]]

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.

Background

thumb|right|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.
  • Folk dances generally originate as participatory social activities rather than as staged performances, although some may later be adapted or stylized for theatrical presentation.
  • 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.
  • New dancers typically learn through informal means—by observing, imitating, and receiving assistance from more experienced participants—rather than through formal instruction. 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.

Europe

thumb|Italians dancing the [[tarantella.]]

thumb|Serbian folk group dancing at a festival.

thumb|right|Rapper Sword Dancers - Sheffield Steel.

thumb|right|Turkey folk dance.

Sword dances include traditional forms such as long sword dances and rapper dancing. 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.

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, having undergone gradual refinement and formalization over time.

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.

  • 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
  • Yowlah

India

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 Lavani 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.

China

  • Yangge

Cambodia

thumb|right|Cambodian [[Peacock dance.]]

  • Romvong
  • Rom kbach
  • Robam Neary Chea Chuor
  • Peacock Dance
  • Chhayam
  • Cambodian Coconut Dance
  • Cambodian Fish Dance
  • Trot dance

Indonesia

thumb|right|[[Javanese dancer performing Srimpi dance in Java, Indonesia.]]

  • Saman

Japan

  • Bon dance
  • Buyō, typical dance of the Japanese geishas or dance artists
  • Rimse (Ainu people)
  • Kachāshī (Okinawa)

Korea

  • Nongak

Malaysia

  • Zapin

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

thumb|[[Singkil, traditional folk dance of the Maranao people of the Philippines depicting parts of the epic poem, Darangen.]]

thumb|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

  • Bamboo dance (Amis people)

South America

Argentina

  • Chacarera
  • Bailecito
  • Zamba
  • Gato
  • Cueca
  • Chamamé
  • Malambo

Bolivia

  • Bailecito
  • Cueca
  • Huayno

Brazil

  • Samba

Chile

  • Cueca

Colombia

  • Cumbia

Peru

  • Marinera
  • Huayno

Venezuela

  • Gaita Zuliana
  • Joropo

Africa

Angola

  • Kizomba

Cameroon

  • Ambasse bey
  • Assiko
  • Bikutsi

Ghana

  • Adowa
  • Agbadza
  • Agbekor (Atamga)
  • Kpanlogo
  • Bobobo
  • Alkayida

Niger

  • Bitti Harey

North America

United States

  • Clogging
  • Contra dance form
  • Country–western dance
  • Modern dance
  • Modern Western square dance
  • Traditional square dance
  • Zydeco (dance)

Mexico

  • Baile Folklorico (Mexico and Central America)
  • Contradance
  • Square Dance

Dominican Republic

  • Merengue
  • Bachata

Oceania

  • Hula (Hawaii)
  • Haka (New Zealand)

Notable people

  • Olivia Hussey
  • Cheng Xiao
  • The Mayyas
  • Zhang Ziyi

<gallery>

File:Csángó körtánc.ogv|Körtánc - Hungarian (csango) folk dance.

File:Independence Day Parade - Flickr - Kerri-Jo (242).jpg|Kyushtdepdi.

File:Assyriankhigga.jpg|Assyrians dancing khigga.

File:Mtiuluri.jpg|Mtiuluri.

File:Bastoners terrassa 13.jpg|A Ball de bastons stick dance from Catalonia.

File:Cyprus The Dance with glasses OM107.JPG|Cyprus folk dance with glasses in Paphos.

File:Tanec folk ensemble Macedonia 3.jpg|Macedonian female folk dance, Tresenica, performed by Tanec.

File:"A Goral Wedding" at Dom Ludowy Theatre - bride and groom dancing.jpg|Podhale Gorals dancing.

File:Russian dancer at the Imagine Cup.jpg|Traditional Russian squat dancing.

</gallery>

See also

  • 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

Sources

  • Folk Dance Hawaii
  • Dancilla
  • Folklore People Community
  • Folk Dance
  • Folklore Festivals
  • Folklore Festivals
  • 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.