Montenegro, Katrina V. PE 12 9:00-10:00 TTh Folkdance
Term denoting any kind of dance which has been developed within a traditional community, rather than being created by a choreographer or teacher. Steps and patterns are passed on from one generation to another, gradually undergoing change. Many folk dances have their origins in ritual—fertility, ritual—fertility, marriage, religious, or war—and express the character of the community who dance them. There are 5 types or classifications of folk dances: 1. National and Regional Dances 2. Occupational Dances 3. Religious and Ceremonial Dances 4. Courtship Dances 5. Festival Dances Folk dance is not only a way of showing the dance itself, but a way of showcasing the way the dancers dress as well. It is one on e way of flaunting elegance and beauty of one’s culture and religion. ABARURAY
Abaruray is known in the Philippines as Hapayan, Baruray, Tagayan, Pandanggo sa Baso and Abaroray. This is a wine offering that signals the beginning of folk dancing and
singing. The woman dances with a glass of wine on her head from which she entices a man of her choice to drink the wine in it. Playful men would usually pretend to dislike the offer by inventing reasons they could think of. Sensing that the woman is near offended, the men would usually yield to drinking the wine. It is customary that the wine must be drank by whoever is offered with because good manners dictate so. The dance is believed to have been derived from "Aba! Ruray?!”, probably an exclamation to a dancer who was very skillful with balancing the glass on her head despite very difficult dance steps. Ruray is a pet name for the feminine name Aurora. Though obvious that the name was derived from a sort of a 'spectacular' or daring dance piece, there are however, equally beautiful versions of the Abaruray less the wine-glass balancing act. The most popular among which is the Abaruray de Catanauan from Catanauan, Quezon Province. The version is popular among Southern Tagalog festivities like baptisms, town or barrio fiestas and similar festive occassions. The dance is unique with a remarkable flexed-elbow-flap called binanog believed to have been introduced by the Bicolanos.
