| For as long as we have been upright creatures, | | | | entity. Sacred dances have been practiced for |
| human beings have been dancing. Dance is a form | | | | centuries, and are still quite common in places |
| of expression that supersedes verbal language; it | | | | such as India, Asia, Indonesia, Africa and the |
| is possible to convey far more meaning in a | | | | Middle East. Dancing for communion is intricately |
| sweeping gesture than a simple phrase. But why | | | | linked with prayer, as well. |
| do we dance? What compels us? | | | | Connection. Humans are social creatures, and |
| Celebration. Every culture across the globe | | | | dance has long been a way for people to find |
| celebrates for many different reasons. Social | | | | connection and community. The array of group |
| events, such as birth and marriage are two of | | | | dances over time is staggering, from the simple |
| the most common causes for festivity. There are | | | | maypole dance of spring, to waltzing, contra |
| also dances to praise the merits of each season. | | | | dancing, square dancing, and the ubiquitous conga |
| In Africa, for instance, there are dances of praise | | | | line. Never has the old adage "no man is an island" |
| for fertility, of both crops and offspring. Other | | | | ever been more correct than on the dance floor. |
| dances may be more specific to a particular area, | | | | In the end, the simplest reason of all may be that |
| or tribe, such as dances to celebrate a recent | | | | it feels good to move our bodies to music. It is |
| victory. One could argue that dance rituals of | | | | one of the most natural forms of expression, and |
| death fall in this category. While dancers grieve | | | | a common language we all share. Young children |
| over the loss of a loved one, they simultaneously | | | | are the most accurate barometers of how innate |
| celebrate the life of that person. | | | | dance is for humans. If they hear a beat, they |
| Communion. Most humans believe in a Higher | | | | move their feet. Or hips, or anything else they |
| Power, and with this belief comes the desire to | | | | can think of. Dance is not only our heritage, but |
| communicate and receive blessings from that | | | | also our birthright. |