A. Dance / C. Music · Music and Dance

Dance: Types of Dance and Their Roles in Society

A3.2 A2.3 A2.1About 40 minutes

Learning goals

I can identify a variety of types of dances and relate them to their different roles in society.
I can explain that one dance can play several roles at once, using examples including First Nations, Métis and Inuit dances.
I can tell the difference between dances that are shared socially and dances that are sacred or ceremonial, and act respectfully as an audience member.
I can identify my strengths and areas for growth as a dance creator, interpreter and audience member.

Words to know

role (of dance)
The job a dance does in a community, such as bringing people together, celebrating, worshipping, competing or telling a story.

ceremonial dance
A dance that is part of a ceremony, often sacred, performed in a certain way for a special purpose.

social dance
A dance done mainly to have fun and connect with others, such as at a wedding, a party or a school dance.

theatrical dance
A dance performed for an audience as art or entertainment, such as ballet or contemporary dance on a stage.

powwow
A gathering of First Nations people (and visitors) with dancing, singing, drumming, food and visiting.

round dance
A social dance in which people join hands or link arms in a large circle and step together to a drum and song.

etiquette
The expected polite behaviour at an event.

Why do people dance?

People in every part of the world dance, but not always for the same reason. Dance can worship, celebrate, teach, heal, protest, entertain or simply bring people together. The Grade 8 curriculum asks you to identify a variety of types of dances and relate them to their different roles in society.

An empty community hall with a polished wooden dance floor, strings of warm lights and chairs along the walls. — Halls like this host many kinds of dances: celebrations, social dances and community gatherings. Each one plays a different role. AI-generated image

Eight roles dance can play in society. Most dances fit more than one role at a time.

Type of dance	Main role(s)	Examples
ceremonial / sacred	spiritual life, marking important moments	dances that are part of a ceremony; their meaning belongs to the community
social	connection, fun, belonging	wedding dances, school dances, square dancing, round dances
cultural / heritage	passing on identity and history	Métis jigging, Inuit drum dancing, Ukrainian folk dance, Irish step dance
theatrical / artistic	art, entertainment, expression	ballet, contemporary dance, musical theatre
competitive	sport, skill, achievement	breaking battles, dancesport, competition dancing at many powwows
health / fitness	exercise and well-being	dance fitness classes, dancing at home for fun
protest / activism	drawing attention to an issue	round dances held in public places during the Idle No More movement

Types of dance and some of the roles they play.

First Nations, Métis and Inuit dances and their many roles

Powwow dances are social, cultural and often competitive at the same time. A powwow usually begins with a Grand Entry, when dancers enter the circle together. Dance styles include Jingle Dress, Fancy Shawl, Grass Dance, Men's and Women's Traditional, and Fancy dancing. Dancers wear regalia (never call it a costume), often made by family members and full of personal meaning.
Round dances are social dances where everyone joins a large circle. In the winter of 2012–2013, during the Idle No More movement, people held round dances in public places such as shopping malls and town squares to draw attention to First Nations rights and the protection of land and water. This was dance as protest and community at the same time.
Métis jigging, which you studied in Grade 7, is danced to fiddle music at celebrations and competitions. The Red River Jig is one of its best-known tunes.
Inuit drum dancing uses a large frame drum (the qilaut), which the dancer strikes on its rim with a wooden beater while moving. It is performed at gatherings and celebrations and passes on songs and stories.

Some dances in every culture are sacred or ceremonial. We can learn about them, but their movements and songs are not for copying at school or as entertainment. Social dances, on the other hand, are often meant to be shared: at many powwows, the MC (emcee) invites everyone, including visitors, to join an intertribal or a round dance.

Each green dot shows a role the dance plays. Count the dots: most dances play several roles at once. A breaking battle is social, cultural, artistic and competitive.

Worked example

Example: Let's relate one dance to several roles

Let's figure out the roles of a round dance at a community gathering in winter.

Social: everyone joins hands in one big circle, including visitors. It's about being together.
Cultural identity: the songs and drum connect people to their Nation and traditions.
Celebration and healing: round dances are often held to celebrate or to bring people together after hard times.
Protest (sometimes): during Idle No More, round dances in public places also drew attention to an issue.
Conclusion: one dance can be social, cultural, celebratory and, at times, a form of activism.

A round dance plays several roles at once, and its role can change with where and why it is danced.

Worked example

Example: Let's reflect as an audience member at a powwow

Your family visits a public powwow. Let's plan how to be a respectful audience member, then reflect.

Before: learn the basic etiquette. Listen to the MC, who explains what is happening and when photos are allowed or not allowed.
Grand Entry: stand and remove hats when asked, as dancers enter the circle.
During the dancing: stay outside the dance circle unless the MC invites everyone in. Never touch a dancer's regalia.
If invited to an intertribal or round dance: join in respectfully and follow the dancers around you.
Reflect (A2.3): Strength as an audience member: I listened to the MC and stood for Grand Entry. Area for growth: I wanted to take photos during a song when the MC asked people not to; next time I'll put my phone away and just watch.

Being a good audience member means learning the etiquette, following the MC's guidance, and reflecting honestly.

Just for fun

What do you call a dance that teaches you how to do something?

A step-by-step guide! 👣

Hands-on activity

Dance roles scavenger hunt

You need: paper, a pencil, and a grown-up to help you find videos or events.

Make a chart with the eight roles from the wheel picture across the top.
Over a week, find six different dances: in videos your family trusts, at a community event, at a family celebration, in a TV show or in your own life. Write each dance down the side of the chart.
Put a dot under every role each dance plays. Which dance has the most dots?
Choose one dance that is meant to be shared (a social dance) and learn 8 counts of it with a family member.
Reflect in three sentences: one strength and one area for growth as an audience member, and one thing you want to learn next as a dancer.

Remember: if a dance is sacred or ceremonial, learn about it but don't copy it.

Your turn

Name four different roles that dance can play in society.

What is the difference between a social dance and a theatrical dance?

Name three roles a powwow can play.

What is the dancer's clothing at a powwow called, and why shouldn't you call it a costume?

How did round dances play a protest role during Idle No More?

How does an Inuit drum dancer play the qilaut?

Why shouldn't students copy a sacred or ceremonial dance at school?

More practice: warm-up

What does etiquette mean?

What usually begins a powwow?

Name one powwow dance style.

Is a school dance mainly social or ceremonial?

Name a dance with a competition role.

More practice: on your own

Relate ballet on a theatre stage to its role(s) in society. Could it play another role?

Explain how the role of the same dance can change depending on where it is danced. Give an example.

Write a reflection with one strength and one area for growth as a dance interpreter (performer).

What should an audience member do if the MC at a powwow says no photos during the next song?

Why might the same person dance for health and cultural identity at the same time? Give an example.

Challenge

Choose two very different dances (for example, a breaking battle and an Inuit drum dance). Compare their roles in society, naming at least two similarities and two differences.

A classmate says, "Dance is just entertainment." Use at least three roles and specific examples to respond.

Write a complete self-reflection for this unit so far: one strength and one area for growth as a creator, as an interpreter and as an audience member, plus one goal.

Check your understanding

Quiz

A dance done mainly to have fun and connect with others is a ___ dance.

The clothing a powwow dancer wears is called ___.

During Idle No More, round dances held in public places mainly added which role?

Which statement is true?

At a powwow, the person who explains what is happening and when photos are allowed is the ___.

The Inuit drum used in drum dancing is called the ___.

Which is the most respectful choice about a sacred dance from another culture?

For parents and teachers

Big idea: Students identify a variety of types of dances and relate them to their different roles in society (A3.2) and identify their strengths and areas for growth as dance creators, interpreters and audience members (A2.3).

How to help at home:

Notice dance in your family's life: weddings, holidays, cultural events, school dances, fitness videos. Ask, "What job is this dance doing?"
Many communities hold public powwows, often in spring and summer, and visitors are usually welcome. Check the event's information for etiquette, listen to the MC, and follow photo rules.
Encourage honest reflection: one strength, one area for growth, one goal.

Common difficulties:

Thinking every dance has one role. Use the dot chart to show overlapping roles.
Calling regalia a costume. Explain why the word matters.
Confusing learning about a sacred dance with copying it. Social dances are often meant to be shared; sacred ones are not ours to copy.