Are you looking to discover the origins of Canada’s most famous cultural dances? Or are you looking for academies that offer dance classes? Where and how are certain dances performed in Canada? Why dance anyway? How one can learn dance and how to choose a proper dance school?
Dancing is an art that helps you destress and stay mentally and physically fit. Or as our artistic director, Veronica Bah likes to say “Dance is the joy of movement and the heart of life.”
Canada has a rich culture and dance contributes a lot to it. This article enlightens you on some cultural dances and their history. Follow the article to obtain insight on history and culture of Canadian dances.
Powwow Dancing
The powwow dancing depicts culture and dance with fascinating attire, complex drumming, and ancient songs. Powwow brings together communities to celebrate their heritage through dance and music. The Grass Dance, Fancy Dance, and Jingle Dress Dance are some of the most common and significant parts of it.
The footwork and storytelling within the powwows are essential to the native practices. Powwows, thus, are more than performances; they are a way to reflect on the previous generations. They are a method of story-telling and act as a tool to strengthen the community.
Each step of a powwow dance projects meaning, from the graceful swaying in the Fancy Shawl Dance to the grounded, deliberate movements in the Traditional Dance.
Powwow regalia is almost just as significant. It works to represent both personal and cultural identities. The beadwork, feathers, and fabrics often carry stories or convey spiritual meanings.
Drummers and singers play an essential role too as they provide the beat and melody by which the dancers dance. Today, powwows are fairly popular in Canada, helping to bring together different people.
Red River Jig
The Red River Jig is a dance representing the Métis culture into which the First Nation influences interact with those of European origin. It is performed in a quick tempo with violins playing in the background. It involves fast and intricate footwork.
Historically, it has been a context for social dances. People from all sorts of places would come together to celebrate milestones. Or even better, just to simply meet and party!
It stands today as one of the proudest forms of culture for the Métis! Every single dance step expresses the endurance and flexibility of Métis culture.
The Red River Jig requires serious skill and creativity as dancers often perform super elaborate steps. Creativity comes in handy in times when there is a need to improvise the steps. The violinists are also central to the dances.
They give a driving beat and inspiration for the dancers’ movement. The Red River Jig stands out as a colourful celebration of identity among Canadian folk dance names.
La Gigue
La Gigue is a traditional French-Canadian dance originating from Québec combining energetic foot tapping with dynamic movement. It is performed at times in a playful and spirited manner.
This dance is normally done in partnership with violinists and accordions during fun occasions such as weddings, Christmas, and community gatherings. It represents joviality in French-Canadian communities. It unites people in the celebration of life.
“La Gigue” provides the dancers with work that builds both stamina and precision. It requires the dancers to create a rhythmic pattern with their feet at a lively pace. It is thus a very popular folk dance in Canada that kids are taught in their early developmental stages.
To conserve this old tradition, many schools and ethnic organizations in Québec offer classes for La Gigue. Through La Gigue, the values of determination, community, and joy are passed on by French-Canadian communities.
Step Dancing
Step dancing is especially prevalent in Eastern Canada, particularly in Newfoundland and Cape Breton. It is characterized by elaborate footwork and is set to lively fiddle tunes.
It carries all the traditional Scottish, Irish, and Acadian influences and blends them together in a Canadian style. Step dancing celebrates maritime dance and culture with a vigor, rhythm, and excitement.
Dancers often wear hard-soled shoes to add emphasis to the sound produced by their footwork, this creates a beautiful audio-visual experience.
Step dancing inspires young and old alike in community settings. Locals focus so much to boost the participation so that this tradition can remain an active part of culture.
Step dancing has more to it than just being a mere performance. It’s also connecting one’s heritage and celebrating the maritime way of life!
Highland Dancing
Highland dancing was a super skilful and competitive form of dance that the Scottish immigrants brought into Canada by Scottish immigrants. Accompanied by traditional bagpipe music, the Highland Fling and Sword Dance needs a few traits! Strength, agility, and grace are among the most important ones as dancers execute movements with finesse.
The tradition of Highland dancing projects the Scottish lore, symbolism, pride, and resilience. Highland Games and Cultural Festivals are ways to celebrate this connection to Scottish heritage.
Square Dancing
Square dancing holds its roots deep within the space of Canada. European settlers get all the credit for bringing it to the west! They saw it evolve into a popular form of social activity. Under glowing chandeliers, four couples dance in a square following intricate pattern that a leader calls.
Square dancing is seen as a Canadian folk dance for both children and adults. It is an art which requires teamwork and vigorous footwork. However, we hate to tell you that square dancing has lost a bit of its popularity over the years!
The wonderful thing about the dance is its ongoing presentation on some stages. Square dancing classes happen in schools and community centres like Fouetté Academy where we let the new generations learn and enjoy this treasured tradition!
| Dance | Cultural Origin | Features | Learning Difficulty | Fun Fact |
| Powwow | Indigenous | Storytelling, drumming, regalia | Moderate | Regalia tells personal and cultural stories. |
| Red River Jig | Métis | Fast footwork, violin tunes | Challenging | Known as Canada’s “national dance” by some. |
| La Gigue | French-Canadian | Energetic, rhythmic tapping | Moderate | Played with fiddles and accordions. |
| Step Dancing | Maritime Provinces | Lively, fiddle music | Easy to Moderate | Often performed at community celebrations. |
| Highland Dancing | Scottish | Grace, agility, bagpipe music | Advanced | A test of endurance and technique at festivals. |
Final Words
Canadian cultural dance truly has an extremely rich history! Each dance tells a story and helps connect people with their ancestral and cultural roots.
While Canada does not have an official national folk dance, these cultural dances emphasize the significance of culture and dance in Canadian society. Canadians ensure that traditions are passed from one generation to another hence incorporating these dances in social events.
Our competitive dance program director Sammy Grano always says “Take more chances, dance more dances”.
If you want your kids to do just that or just learn more about dancing, visit Fouetté Academy of Dance for awesome dance classes for kids over the age of 2.5 years!
