Dance in Primitive cultures Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Dance in Primitive cultures - Essay Example Such forces are also said to have promoted fertility, controlled weather, and led to success in warfare. As a result, the forces had a say in tribal well-being and human survival. Originally, man used dance to implore god on various occasions that were crucial in life (West Virginia University 20). Moreover, it is also thought that dance in these cultures begun as a gesture. This was used as a form of communication. Afterward, there was use of gestures such as facial expressions and combination of a guttural sound and action to reinforce an ideal (West Virginia University 20). As a result, dance was used as a means of telling stories or passing information. However, in this era, there was lack of proper speech. As a result, man was forced to use recognizable gesture. For success, man was forced to supplement movements with the cries of animals and other natural sounds. On the other hand, there was inspiration to the primitive dance. The most significant source of inspiration was the birds and animals (West Virginia University 21). Primitive man was knowledgeable of living things that surrounded him as he interacted with them. Man fought with living things or survival, hunted for food and clothing and managed to know their character (West Virginia University 21). Primitive people also had an animist religion; they thought animals had souls and were similar to man. The perception was linked to natural phenomenon that surrounded man such the sun and death. Primitive man also has an opportunity to dance with animals. Man insects and some animals perform ritualized movement patterns that appear almost similar to man conception of dance. Hence, the dance-like movements of animals inspired the dance of primitive man. On the other hand, dance played a significant role in the primitive society. One of such role was in religion. In the performance of rituals, ancient man simpler imitative movements became changed