where did ballroom dancing originate?

answers1: Competitive & social ballroom started in England
answers2: A Glance at the Origins of Ballroom Dancing <br>
<br>
by Esther Kando Odescalchi, Ph.D. <br>
Dancing is one of the earliest art forms of mankind; in it human
emotions are manifested in motion. In primitive societies communal
dancing was associated with religion, magic, medicine, war or nature.
The oldest dance form preserved in human record is a chain or ring
dance -- where dancers join hands -- found on rocks near Luxor, Egypt,
from about 4,000 B.C. But on the same rocks at Luxor, we also find
pair dancing, where couples dance face to face. In Egypt, dancing
seems to have been limited to religious festivals, funeral rites and
temples. We find little evidence of secular dancing. <br>
<br>
In ancient Greece, like in Egypt, most of the dancing was associated
with temple, funeral, athletic, war, choric or dramatic dances. Here,
however, the country people started to dance too, as they, celebrated
the vintage with Bacchic or Dionysic dances at rustic festivals. In
ancient Greece we find the first record of secular dancing, when the
Greek peasants were mimicking their occupations, such as weaving,
reaping, spinning and cooking. <br>
<br>
It is interesting to note that although the Romans appreciated the
dances of other nations, such as the Spanish dances, yet they
themselves did little dancing. <br>
<br>
Social dancing, as we know it, developed in the Middle Ages, when on
holidays the common people had a great time dancing just for fun.
Their dances were intimate and spontaneous. This inspired the nobles
to adopt dancing for entertainment. They changed the simple dances of
the people into grandiose affairs to show off their exquisite and
brilliant costumes. Their dances were non-spontaneous and had to be
learned. The wealthy tradesmen and merchants soon imitated the
nobility's "danza" and as time went by, dances became more and more
elaborate. This gave rise to the proliferation of dance masters. <br>
<br>
At first, court dances were stately and stiff, such as the solemn
"danse basse." Around 1500, the Renaissance brought into dancing the
refreshing influence of the common people. A more natural form of
dancing spread to the courts of Europe: in France it was the lively
"volte" - the favorite dance of England's Queen Elizabeth I - and the
"courante;" in Italy it was the "galliard" and the stately "pavan;" in
Spain it was the passionate "saraband" and "chaconne;" in Germany it
was the sprightly "allemande." <br>
<br>
During the 1600s, the happy mood of the Renaissance dances was
replaced with the stately and formal ones. Around 1650 Lully, the
French composer, introduced the elegant and graceful "minuet," (also
the "bouree" and "passepied"). In addition the "gavotte" gained great
popularity as the new dance of the day. <br>
<br>
By the 1700s the nobility was routinely entertaining its guests with
elegant dances and balls. During this time, the German "waltz" was
introduced bringing simplicity and naturalness to ballroom dancing.
The waltz was probably the first dance in which the close hold was
employed and accepted. The waltz was simple to learn and dance masters
were no longer in great demand. The dances of the 1800s saw the
influence of the common people. The revival of national feeling in
Europe in the 1840's resulted in dances such as the "galop" and
"polka" of Czech origin and the "mazurka" from Poland. The
"quadrille," resembling an old English square dance, also gained
popularity. <br>
<br>
The early 1900s was a turning point for ballroom dancing. The European
"monopoly" on ballroom dancing was challenged by the Americas. It was
for the first time that new dances, such as the barn dance (military
schottische), cakewalk, two-step, Boston and turkey trot were
introduced to Europe from the New World. The famous couple, Irene and
Vernon Castle, refined many of the dances, such as the early foxtrot
(1912-1914). Their execution of the tango (1910-1914) created a tango
craze from Paris to New York. <br>
<br>
In the early 1920's several new dances were introduced, such as the
paso doble, peabody, and one-step (or fast foxtrot). As a result of
the popularity of Dixieland jazz, the Charleston craze engulfed the
dancing world. In 1927 the Lindy Hop or jitterbug found its way to the
dance halls with its acrobatic patterns and lively footwork. In the
1930s the rumba was introduced into ballroom dancing from Cuba. In the
1940s the samba and mambo became popular. In the 1950s the merengue,
cha cha and bossa nova reached New York from Latin America. In the
1960s the twist attained popularity. In the 1970s the hustle, similar
to a six count Lindy, brought touch dancing back to the ballroom
scene. <br>
<br>
Although the disco scene is very much alive, and it is still keeping
dancing couples apart, ballroom dancing, with its grace and elegance
is gaining momentum as we approach the 21st century. *** <br>
<br>
Ms. Odescalchi and performing partner Ben Murtha are the owners of E&B
Dance Academy in Pleasant Valley, New York. <br>
<br>
<br>
From: "The Ballroom Review," December 20, 1993 - January 20, 1994, page 3 <br>
Return to: History of Ballroom Dancing or Ballroom & Latin Dances
answers3: Oddly enough,in the bathroom but that didn't sound as classy
so they changed it to "ballroom".
answers4: It's complicated, with wide influences, but basically English.
answers5: Ballroom Dancing Origin