Bagpipes and kilts are unique cultural symbols of the Scottish nation. The bagpipes are beautiful in tune, sometimes majestic, sometimes sobbing, sometimes relaxed and cheerful. In "Braveheart", the bagpipes play the heroic and tragic song of freedom. The love of ice and fire, audiences all over the world were moved by the majestic and poignant bagpipes. However, when the moving bagpipes met the Scottish kilt, the heroic Scots swept away the haze and sadness of history, and immediately spun up and down, dancing enthusiastically and gorgeously highland dance, which is considered to be one of the most popular dances in the world. One of the most complex folk dances, the four dances in the Highland dance are considered to be traditional Scottish folk dances, the most famous being the Sword Dance and the Highland Fringer, and the other two include the Chanchuus and Otto Locklear. dance. Highland dance is one of the must-play programs in Scottish festivals. Not only that, but you can enjoy the colorful dance steps of highland dance in dance competitions and dance festivals around the world.
Sword Dance
Do you believe that all the ancient Scottish soldiers were dance artists? The ancient Scottish wars continued, and the ancient Scots inherited the brave and warlike personality and artistic talent of the Celtic nation. When they take up their weapons, they are brave and brave heroes; when they put down their weapons, with the melodious sound of the flute, the swords in their hands become props, and they become highly skilled dancers, dancing the Scottish sword dance. The Scottish Sword Dance, also known as Gili Callum, is the oldest dance in the Scottish Highland Dance.
The sword dance is an unrestrained and brisk solo dance on crossed swords or knives. The accompaniment is a special weapon used by the ancient Scots to fight, and later became a national musical instrument symbolizing Scottish culture - the bagpipe, the bagpipe has a loud and beautiful sound, strong penetrating power, and the powerful and peculiar sound cooperates with the drum sound to scare the enemy. It is the battle uniform of each clan - Scottish kilt: another special prop is the knife or sword used in war, so the sword dance has become a symbol of victory, heroism and happiness, and has developed into a major tradition of the Scottish army. Later, the soldiers of the various clans in the highlands also danced the Scottish sword dance before the war. They believed that the sword dance could indicate the outcome of the war. If the sword was not encountered during the whole process of completing the dance, it was a good omen, indicating victory. A bad omen, heralding loss or even failure. In addition, because the Scottish sword dance requires high precision, endurance and coordination, it has also become one of the criteria for rulers to assess the skills and flexibility of soldiers.
In the 17th century, Scotland was merged into England, the scuffle between the various Scottish clans ended, and the wars decreased, but the sword dance was retained by the Scots who loved the tradition, and changed in the development process, no longer limited to men, and no longer limited to men. The battle dance performed by individuals is becoming more and more elegant. It is an artistic dance that integrates strength and beauty. The Scottish sword dance has also evolved many kinds of dance methods, but they have the same characteristics as swords, kilts, bagpipes, and Gillette shoes. and thick pantyhose, back straight, shoulders flat, one leg rotated upright, the other foot running back and forth below the knee, the dancer performs on two or more swords stacked in a cross, around the sword Dance counterclockwise, alternating fast and slow. The Scottish sword dance has been carried forward - one is the Highland Flinger, and the other is the Highland Games, which are traditional games held in Scotland in the summer, held more than 50 times a year, in addition to traditional sports, sword dance performances and bagpipes. It is the biggest attraction of the Highland Games. The dancers are tall and straight, accompanied by the high-pitched flute sound, their feet are shuttled between the swords and their bodies are spinning rapidly, which dazzles the audience and is breathtaking. The Scottish sword dance has been passed down and has fascinated the Scots so much, the national pride of the Scots is evident.
highland flinger
The Highland Flinger appeared in the 18th century. It is a war dance improved from the sword dance. The soldiers who participated in the war triumphed from the battlefield and danced in a victory dance. The dance field was a small circular shield, usually with a raised metal in the middle. The pointed, accompaniment musical instrument is a special weapon stipulated by the Scottish royal family - the bagpipe. With the loud sound of the bagpipe, the warriors wear Scottish uniforms and dance on the shield, spinning briskly like a top, and their toes fall on the shield. The sound of tapping and tapping is like a war horse running on the battlefield, and the joy of victory immediately turns into a gorgeous dance, dancing on the high ground with the melodious and high-pitched flute. In addition to conveying joy, the fast-twirling dance steps also represent a form of witchcraft, possibly driving away slain ghosts. In the beginning, the high jumpers of Flinger were all men. The accompaniment was mainly bagpipes. The clothing was the Scottish soldier's battle uniform, that is, the Scottish kilt. There were thick folds on the back and sides. Form an important part of dance. Dancers should have a straight torso, strong waist, back and leg muscles, especially flexible and strong feet, and dancers should have good flexibility and balance to protect themselves from being stabbed by the pointed tip in the middle. Only when it can show the beauty of strength and the inviolable arrogance. Later, Highland Flinger became the examination item for the king of Scotland to select the guards, because excellent performers must be strong, flexible, and have good endurance and coordination. Soldiers also perform Highland Flinger training to maintain shape and improve stamina in preparation for battle.
Highland Flinger does not need a dance partner, nor is it a dance performed by a group. The whole process of the dance must be completed at one point. It is a difficult single dance with both physical fitness and skills. Highland Flinger is physically demanding, for example, a six-step Highlander requires 192 dances, while requiring very accurate and complex dance moves, and a half-hour Highlander will consume more energy than a 170 lb. Heavy football players do more than an hour of football. The Highland Flinger gradually spread among the people and became a folk dance that was deeply loved by the Scottish people. Although it has undergone historical changes, Highland Flinger still maintains the original basic dance steps and main melody. The dancer is confined to a limited open space, the dance steps are clean and neat, showing a high degree of control and coordination, the highest goal of the dancer is to complete all the dance movements in a fulcrum, although there is no longer a limit on the number of people in Highland Flinger, However, when dancing does not require interaction, each dance is separate, but the movements are required to be uniform.
The Highland Flinger has been inherited in Scotland mainly due to the Scottish Highland Games. Since the 19th century, the Highland Flinger and other Highland dances have become a sport in the Scottish Highland Games. In the Highland Games, both men and women can play. Throw on a kilt and Gillette shoes and dance to the sound of the flute, the upbeat Highland Flinger. The Scottish Highland Games, held near Balmoral Castle in early September every year, is the largest event that best reflects the Scottish national spirit and is the most influential event in Scotland. The Queen and members of the royal family will go to watch it. The Highland Flinger Dance Competition is a must at the Games. It is an indispensable program. The athletes wear kilts and soft Gillette shoes. They are noble and proud. The dance steps are sometimes unrestrained and sometimes cheerful. The melodious flute and gorgeous dance steps express the enthusiasm, confidence and wisdom of the Scottish nation. To the fullest.
Chanchuus dance
Shangchuus is transliterated from the ancient Celtic language, which means "old pants". The dance imitates the action of a person tearing his pants. The origin of the dance can be traced back to the Glorious Revolution in Britain. James II was the last Catholic English king, his religious policy and "natural kingship" autocratic rule have been opposed by his subjects, James II was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution, and the throne was replaced by his daughter who believed in Protestantism. Mary II and son-in-law William III succeeded, while James II's son James Francis Edward Stuart was the rightful heir to the throne. He was dissatisfied with being deposed and led his son Charles Edward Stuart and The Scottish tribes revolted in northern Scotland, attempted to restore, and fought many wars with the British royal family, which was called the "James Revolt" in British history. At the Battle of Culloden in 1746, the James faction was devastated and almost wiped out. In order to ensure peace, the British royal family promulgated the "Prohibition" in 1747, including the "Clothing Law", prohibiting the wearing of highland clothing in Scotland, especially the kilt, because the kilt is the battle uniform of each clan, and it is the bravery of the Scots. A symbol of fighting nature. 30 years later, the plaid skirt fashion in London, the ban was repealed, and the kilt entered the daily life of the Highlanders again. Expressing joy and defiance of prohibition, these movements were choreographed into dance moves known as the chanchuus. At the beginning of the Shangchuus dance, the music and the pace are slow, and the movements of the arms and hands imitate the action of tearing trousers. At the end, the dancers give high-fives to the musicians to speed up the rhythm and move faster, similar to the passionate Highland Flinger. The Shangchuus dance is influenced by tap dance, not only absorbs some tap dance movements, but also wears hard shoes when dancing, but at the Scottish Highland Games, most performers wear soft Gillette shoes.
Otto Locklear Dance
Another traditional highland dance is the Otto Locklear dance, which originated from Tolos in Scotland in the 18th century. On a cold morning, people gathered at the door of the church to wait for the priest. Stomp feet, clapping hands to keep warm, and then someone whistles towards the sky, and later gradually developed into a dance, which is the lively and lively Otto Locklear dance. The Otto Locklear dance is different from the other three dances. It is not a single dance, but a dance performed by four people. In the 19th century, Otto Locklear was more popular and loved by nobles, and Queen Victoria preferred Otto Lockleer. It is said that at a ball, four nobles performed this dance for Queen Victoria, which made Longyan very happy. Otto Locklear is also a frequent visitor to Scotland's "Northern Rally", and like other Highland dances, Otto Locklear is a regular show at the Highland Games.
Each highland dance has a long history and moving legends, and the Scottish nation is proud to preserve this folk art in various ways. Highland dance is not only a traditional Scottish national dance, but also entered the ranks of mainstream dances. On the one hand, the Scottish nation spares no effort to promote Highland dance to the world; The history of mutual influence and complementation has a long history, which originated from the old alliance established by Scotland and France in the Middle Ages. The political alliance promoted cultural exchanges. The two dances have similar steps, so many famous highland dancers are also ballet dancers. Family.
Highland dance is the pride of the Scots, a symbol of the Scottish spirit, a symbol of simplicity, beauty, bravery, self-confidence, passion and freedom, and is also the cultural ambassador of Scotland. Telling the history of Scotland, conveying confidence and enthusiasm, the spirit of Scotland has been able to endure.
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