Folk dance is a traditional dance of a given locality or village. It is more serious than a singing game. It has its own set music and set movements. Often it tells a story or dramatises an occupation.

Pre-colonial or folk dance is indigenous dance in a locality. It is characterised by:

(i) a defined pattern of music and movement.

(ii) a defined pattern of dressing.

(iii) dramatising to portray the culture of the people in locality.

Nigeria has so many cultural dances which differ from one ethnic group to another. Examples of traditional dance are:

1. Folk Dances in Igbo Land

In Igbo land, the folk dances are:

(a) Atilogwu dance.

(b) EgwuOdinala.

(c) Npokiti.

(d) Oyoyo.

(e) Ohafia war dance.

2. Folk Dances in Hausa Land

In Hausa land the folk dances are:

(a) Sharo dance.

(b) Goge.

(c) Kalangu.

(d) Nakiya da garuma.

(e) RanamTakai.

(f) Swage (Tiv).

3. Folk Dances in Yoruba Land

In Yoruba land the folk dances are:

(a) Apepe.

(b) Bata dance.

(c) Bolojo.

(d) Eyo.

(e) Obutun.

(f) Okorobo.

Social Dances

Social dances are indigenous dances and other foreign dances that are imported.

Examples of foreign social dance:

(i) Break dance.

(ii) Calypso.

(iii) Conga.

(iv) Hip hop.

(v) Jazz.

(vi) Makosa.

(vii) Pop.

(viii) Reggae.

(ix) Rock-‘n’-roll.

(x) Waltz.

EVALUATION

1. What is folk dance?
2. Mention three foreign dances?
3. Mention one example each of Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo folk dance.