Dance Production: Cultural and Historical Context

The earliest known evidence of dance is cave paintings in France, dating back to around 30,000 BCE.

Hip hop dance is a relatively new form of dance that emerged in the 1970s, and is not considered to be a major type of dance in the same way that ballet, modern dance, and jazz dance are.

In traditional African cultures, dance is used to tell stories, celebrate religious rituals, and mark important life events.

Flamenco is a Spanish dance form, and is not a major dance form of India.

Kabuki is the name of the traditional Japanese dance-drama form.

Ballet is a Western dance form, and is not a major dance form of China.

Pansori is the name of the traditional Korean dance-drama form.

Ramlila is an Indian dance-drama form, and is not a major dance form of Southeast Asia.

Hula is the name of the traditional Hawaiian dance form.

Tango is an Argentine dance form, and is not a major dance form of Latin America.

Capoeira is the name of the traditional Brazilian dance form.

Salsa is a Latin American dance form, and is not a major dance form of the Caribbean.

Son is the name of the traditional Cuban dance form.

Ballet is a Western dance form, and is not a major dance form of the United States.

Buck dancing, soft-shoe dancing, and hoofing are all traditional American tap dance forms.