War dance

For other uses, see War dance (disambiguation).

A war dance is a dance involving mock combat, usually in reference to tribal warrior societies where such dances were performed as a ritual connected with endemic warfare. Martial arts in various cultures can be performed in dance-like settings for various reasons, such as for evoking ferocity in preparation for battle or showing off skill in a more stylized manner. It could also be for celebration of valor and conquest. Many such martial arts incorporate music, especially strong percussive rhythms.

Papuan war dance from Yapen, Papua province, Indonesia.

War dances can overlap with sword dances and other forms of weapon dance, utilizing weapons or replications as part of the artistic performance.

War dances

Examples of war dances include:

Capoeira is a martial art traditionally performed with a dance-like flavor and to live musical accompaniment, as seen depicted here.

• Aduk-Aduk – Brunei
• Ardah – Arabian Peninsula, Kuwait
• Ayyalah – Arabian Peninsula
• Attan - Afghanistan and Pushtun Areas of Pakistan
• Baris – Bali, Indonesia
• Bende War Dance – Nigeria
• Buza – Russia
• Blood walk – Bloods of United States
• Cakalele – Maluku, Indonesia
• Capoeira, as well as some similar Afro-Caribbean arts
• Cibi – Fiji
• Crip Walk – Crips of United States
• Dirk dance and Scottish sword dances – Scotland
• European sword dance or weapon dance of various kinds
• Haka - Māori people of New Zealand
• Hako (Rapa Nui) – Easter Island
• Hopak – Ukraine
• Hula and Kapu Kuialua – Native Hawaiians
• Indlamu – Zulu people
• Juego de maní – Cuba
• Kabasaran – Minahasan people, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
• Kailao – Wallis, adopted by Tonga
• Khattak – Afghanistan and Pakistan
• Khorumi (ხორუმი) – Georgia
• Ohafia War Dance – Eastern Nigeria
• Panther Dance – Burmese Bando with swords (dha)
• Pentozali – Crete
• Pyrrhichios – Pontos
• Razfah – Oman and the United Arab Emirates
• Reggada – Morocco
• Sagayan – Philippines
• Siva Tau – Samoan war dance
• Tahtib – Egypt
• Takalo - Niue
• Yarkhushta (Յարխուշտա) – Armenia
• Yowlah – Oman and the United Arab Emirates

See also

• Battle cry
• Display behaviour
• Kata
• Martial music
• Military drills:
  • Exhibition drill
  • Foot drill
• Show of force
• Weasel war dance
• Military cadence