The Unity of Music and Dance in World Cultures

This study surveys music and dance from a global perspective, viewing them as a composite whole found in every culture. To some, music means sound and body movement. To others, dance means body movement and sound. The author examines the complementary connection between sound and movement as an element of the human experience as old as humanity itself. Music and dance from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the South Pacific are discussed. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

David Akombo is an associate professor and the founding dean of the faculty of culture, creative and performing arts at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, West Indies.

David Akombo

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 276
Bibliographic Info: bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2016
pISBN: 978-0-7864-9715-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2269-9
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments vi
Preface 1

Part I: Africa
1. The Bikutsi Dance of Cameroon 3
2. The Egungun Dance of the Yoruba Culture of Nigeria 8
3. The Music and Dance of Côte d’Ivoire 14
4. The Gumboot Dance of South Africa 20
5. The Music and Culture of Botswana 29
6. Dances of the Mbuti People of the Democratic Republic of Congo 36

Part II: The Americas
7. The Bachata Dance of the Dominican Republic 45
8. The Merengue Dance of Latin America 51
9. The Merengue of the Dominican Republic 59
10. Folk and Mento Dance Traditions of Jamaica 68
11. The Reggae Dance of Jamaica 74
12. The Rumba Dance of Cuba 80
13. The Sun Dance of the Plains Indians 88
14. The Hula Dance of the Hula People of Hawaii 94
15. Swing Dancing of New York 101
16. American Jazz 106
17. Popular Dances of Mexico 111
18. The Slave Dances of North America 118
19. The Tango of Argentina 125
20. The Chacarera Dance of Argentina 131
21. The Capoeira Dance of Brazil 136
22. Brazilian Music and Dances 143

Part III: Asia
23. The Odissi, a Classical Indian Dance 151
24. The Bharata Natyam and Kathak Dances of India 158
25. The Kundiman, Sinulog and Tinikling Dances of the Philippines 165
26. The Santacruzan Dance of the Philippines 174
27. The Dances of the Khalkas People of Mongolia 180
28. The Dances of China 186
29. The Shomyo Dance of Japan 191

Part IV: South Pacific
30. The Kapa Haka Dance Tradition of New Zealand 197
31. Australian Aboriginal Music and Dances 203

Part V: Europe
32. The Ballet of Europe 211
33. Igor Stravinsky and the Ballets Russes 217
34. Traditional Music and Dance of Ireland 228
35. The Flamenco Dance Tradition of Spain 240

Part VI: Middle East
36. The Music and Dances of Afghanistan 247
37. The Saray Court Dance of the Turkish People 251
38. Traditional Music of Iraq 257

Index 263