New York Chinese Cultural Center

CHINESE DANCE HISTORY

Chinese dance dates back nearly 5,000 years. As in most cultures, Chinese dance is closely linked to and reflective of life experiences and concerns. Thus the dances can be divided into (1) CEREMONIAL; for praying to the gods for bountiful harvests,(2) DRAMATIC; for reporting and commemorating historical events, (3) MARTIAL; for demonstrating fighting techniques, and (4) AGRICULTURAL; for celebrating nature and work.

In old China, dancers belonged to the slave class and their chief function was to perform in the courts for royalty and the nobles. During the Tang Dynasty (618-906 A.D.) the famous Silk Road was often travelled by Indians, Persians and others who came to trade silk. Buddhism thus found its way into China and had an enormous impact on Chinese culture. The Flying Apsara, a minor deity, plays music and is pictured in many murals from this period. The unique poses of the dancers represented on these murals influenced Chinese classical dance.

Like the United States, China is a nation of many different nationalities. Each has its own history, language and tradition, and maintains its own distinct customs and style of dress. The Han make up the Majority of China's population. Some of the larger minority groups are the Mongols, the Dai, and the Miao.

The above information is part of NYCCC's Teacher's Study Guide. NYCCC offers the following in-school programs that colorfully and actively communicate the nature of Chinese dance and the culture it expresses. These programs can be tailor made to fit any curriculum or special needs. If interested in learning more or booking a date, please call at (212) 334-3764 or e-mail info@chinesedance.org.