Origin: Australian Bush Dance
The Australian Bush dance is mainly based on traditional folk dances of the United Kingdom, Ireland, and central Europe. The dance is similar to American line dances or American square dances. All dancers know certain steps and perform them together. Partners are often changed in the course of the dance. Bush dance has developed in Australia as a form of traditional dance.
Traditional Indigenous Australian dance was closely connected with song. In some instances, they would imitate the actions of a particular animal in the process of telling a story. It defined roles, responsibilities and the place itself.
Types of Clothing Worn During the Bush Dance:
Your clothes should be relaxing & comfortable. For Bush Dancing, there is no specific article of clothing needed, yet can be worn, as long as you can dance in it. Many people even dance barefooted.
Try not to dance in socks as it could result in you slipping!Wear shoes with your socks.
Celebrations Related to the Bush Dance
There are no celebrations related to the Bush Dance, but the Bush Dance is perfromed in many festivals and celebrations as it has become a traditional dance over the years, and is very fun. In addition, it is a very easy dance to learn and can be danced along to most music. Although it is usually combined with Bush Band music and/or Polka, it can easily be performed with many other songs including those that have/do not have lyrics. Additionally, Bush Dancing is not tied to any cultures, and is just a fun dance any local Australian usually knows, or is taught to tourists.
How to: Bush Dance
1. Form two lines, men in one and women in the other. Each person should be facing their partner.
2. Men, hold your partner's right hand with your left and put your right arm around her waist. Ladies, put your left arm around his waist or on his shoulder.
3. Men use your left leg, ladies use your right. Push your leg out, heel to the ground, toe up. Bring your leg in, toe to ground, heel up. Repeat.
4. Now slide to the left four times.
5. Now use your other leg (men; right, women; left) (heel, toe, heel, toe). Repeat.
6. Slide four times back to where you started.
7. Use the same hand, so your arms cross diagonally in front of you. Clap right hands three times. Clap left hands three times.
8. Clap both hands three times. Clap your hands on your lap three times.
10. Now swing your partner around. Men move to the left while women move to the right. Meet in the middle, linking right arms at the elbows. Go around in a circle twice, stopping back where you started.
Other Types of Australian Dances
- The Indigenous Australian Dance
- Classical Ballet
- Ballroom Dancing
- Contemporary Dance
- And many other multicultural dances performed in over 200 national backgrounds
Similar to the Bush dance is the Colonial dance, in which there is more concern for correct foot work. Many of the dances are unique to Australia. For this dance type, there is a dress code; unlike the laid back manner of the Bush dance.
Simpler Steps for the Bush Dance
Music
Heel, toe, heel, toe.
Slide, slide, slide, slide.
Heel, toe, heel, toe.
Slide, slide, slide, slide.
Right hand clap, left hand clap,
Both hands clap, clap on lap.
Swing your partner 'round.
The polka is usually played, or music by a bush band. A bush band usually consists of vocals. In addition to that, they may have fiddle, accordion, guitar, banjo, harmonica and many more instruments. It is usally folk music that is played, as Bush Dancing has become a traditional dance. One example of a popular Bush band is "The Bushwackers." Many of their songs were adaptions of poetry by Australian bush poets, like Henry.
Bush Dancing Through the Years…
- 1770–1850: Early European settlers came with their local dance traditions.
- 1850–1860: Miners brought dances from Europe.
- 1860–1950: Balls and dances were held in local halls.
- 1950–1960: Dances were documented and performed.
- 1970–1980: Most areas and many social clubs had regular Bush Balls.
Here is a quick video showing how the Bush Dance is done:
Dance Formations
- Men and women in a ballroom or similar hold arranged around the room
- Four couples arranged on the sides of a square
Citations
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bushwackers_%28band%29
- http://www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au/page/BUSHDANCEINSTRUCTIONS/
- http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bush_dance
- http://thebushwackers.com.au/bush-dancing/
- http://www.australian-heritage-dance.com/ellis.html
- http://home.hiwaay.net/~lkseitz/Australia/bushdance.html
Australian Bush Dance
and other Australian dances
by Han, Harsukh, Navi, Diljot, and Jasneet