Ballet a form of ethnic dance

For this week’s discussion our class was assigned to read An Anthropologist Looks at Ballet

as a Form of Ethnic Dance by JOANN KEALIINOHOMOKU. The main point of discussion within this article is the notion of primitive dance and breaking down the paradigm associated with this phrase. Then after going through her research she concludes that many of the experts do not provide sufficient definitions of many of the terms they use, and proceeds to give her own definition to some of these terms. According to the author ballet is an ethnic form of dance and her evidence is that everything about the dance itself and the sets, and even the dancers reflect cultural resources, ideals, and aesthetics.

                For her definitions the first one that she mentions and discusses is dance and this includes “Dance is a transient mode of expression, performed in a given form and style by the human body moving in space. Dance occurs through purposefully selected and controlled rhythmic movements; the resulting phenomenon is recognized as dance both by the performer and the observing members of a given group” (KEALIINOHOMOKU, 38). She also throws this term tension as part of the definition for dance but it has to do with the verbalizing the sounds of dance. The next two terms she writes about are primitive dance and folk dance and the differences between the two. Folk dance according to the reading is defined as being unrefined or untamed and used by the lower classes. out there as well because of its The next term is ethnic dance, “ethnic means a group which holds in common genetic, linguistic, and cultural ties, with special emphasis on cultural tradition”(KEALIINOHOMOKU, 39).

                Ballet as KEALIINOHOMOKU describes fits in very well in a discussion about ethno-aesthetics, because its choreography, body types, sets, and clothes match the westernized perception of beauty and grace and incorporates many of the nuances, ideals, and resources of a specific culture. Some arguments against ballet as ethnic and as an example of ethno aesthetic, is because ballet is now an international dance form, it’s no longer specific to one culture. As ballet becomes more popular throughout the world it is getting hybridized with other cultural dances, or nuances and losing foothold on being defined as ethnic.

Dils, Ann, and Ann Cooper. Albright. "An Anthropologist Looks at Ballet as a Form of Ethnic Dance." Moving History / Dancing Cultures: a Dance History Reader. Middletown, CT: Wesleyn UP, 2001. 33-43.