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| Page Views: 1,766 | Highland Dancing by ShelleyKeating - last update: Sep 28, 2006 |
| Highland Fling, Tourikina, New Zealand |
Highland Dancing is one of the oldest traditional forms of dance and dates back to the 11th centry as warrior/war dances performed by athletic males celebrating victory by dancing over thier swords or on a spiked shield. Highland Dancing was used as a way to train strength and stamina or select men for arms. Each dance tells a story.
Today it is performed throughout the world (Scotland, USA, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada) mainly by females despite the male origin. Competitions are solo and dancers are judged on technique, timing, strength and overall deportment. Highland Dancing at a competative levels requires a lot of training to have the strength and stamina required and to avoid injury.
The Highland Fling is one of the oldest and most well known dances. It tells the story of victory after battle. It is performed on the spot (a hard thing to do when you are elevating and executing leg movements at the same time). It is said that the victors of battle would lay down thier shield and dance on it (the shield has a spike in the middle, hence the precise positions and little movement allowed in the dance). The arm position represents the antlers of a stag. As a competetor this is one of the most challenging dances as technique is very important- turnout, sharpness, elevation and timing are highlighted. |
| Aboyne Highland Games, Scotland |
|  | The Sword Dance (the Ghillie Callum)is renouned amoung dancers as the most challenging dance, as it is tiresome, and if you kick the swords which are crossed forming four squares to dance inside, you are disqualified from the dance. There are a few stories of its origins:- some say it was performed by victors of battles where they would dance over thier swords with the heads of their foe. Others say it was danced before battle and to kick them was abad omen. The original Ghillie Challum is said to be a heroic celtic prince whi faught against MacBeth's army in the Battle of Dunsinane(1504). In celebration of the victory he took the cheifs sword, crossed it on the ground and danced over them. As a competitor, there is great satisfaction in completing a sword dance. |
| | The Seann Triubhas (pronounced shawn trews, and translates to 'old trousers') is a beautiful dance which offers grace and flow along with the required strength and stamina. It tells the story of a Scotsman shedding his trousers (in the first slower steps) and rejoycing in the return to his kilt (the quicker, up-beat final two steps). The origins aren't clear but it has been said that it came about in 1783 when the British Disarming Act of 1747 was overthrown by the Scots who were then able to wear their kilts again. |
| | The Strathspey and Highland Reel This dance is performed with four dancers, although they are each judges individually. The dancers weave around each other in a figure-of-8 movement and perform fling setting steps. After a clap to signify a change of tempo, the strathspey turns into a quick reel. The dance finishes with 16 high cuts (leaping movements with a double beat on the back of the leg) and is the final dance of the Championship (consisting of fling, swords, sean triubhas and reel). Hence it's completion often brings great relief. |
| | My first competition! This is me at my first competition, so proud at my 2nd and 4th placings. I didn't know then how far and wide dancing would take me geographically, emotionally and physically! |
| | Dancing out. Highland Dancing isn't only about championships and competitions. There are many non-competative displays which allow you to choreograph you own dances out of highland movements. This example was in the grounds of Edingurgh Castle as we danced to an Aussie Theme with the Australian pipe and brass band from Adelaide. I am i the middle in blue. |
| | How I became involved My mother, pictured on the left in the dark kilt, danced in New Zealand from an early age. Highland Dancing was brought to NZ by the early Scottish settlers and is still going strongly today. My mother was very good and won many championships, and passed her passion for dancing along to me. She has been the one who has taken me on many trips around Australia and around the world in pursuit of dancing to the best of my ability and getting the whole experience. It is because of her that i have seen so much of the world and danced in so many events. Thankyou Mum! I love you! |
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 Comments for ShelleyKeating about World | | | | |
Waalewiener Tue Jun 23, 2009 03:32 UTC
Hi there Shelly Looks like we are going to meet in Airlie Beach VT meeting I will be in Sydney for a week and Aussiedoug has posted a VT meeting for Saturday August 29 Maybe you would like to join us Kelley | tiabunna Fri Jun 5, 2009 12:54 UTC
Thank you for your kind comment re my photo, Shelley. Must admit I was greatly assisted by having enthusiastic 'sitters'. Just reading your HP, fully agree with your comments on Fosters and most Oz commercial beers. PS tried Coopers? | austarman Sat Apr 25, 2009 23:49 UTC
Emporium at 5pm would be gr888 ma888. ;-P | aussiedoug Thu Feb 12, 2009 01:22 UTC
Hey Shelley couldn't agree more about Fosters..., very ordinary indeed. Clan MacKay on my paternal grandmother's side & shocked many wearing the tartan to our girls christening 10 years ago. |
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