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sword dance

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sword dance

Folk dance by men, with swords or two-handled blades, expressing themes such as human and animal sacrifice for fertility, battle mime, and defense against evil spirits. It originated in Greek and Roman times. A sword dance appeared in Germany in 1350 and later was part of the court ballet when mock battles were staged. The Scottish sword dance is a descendant of the early crossed-sword dances, and the Morris dance retains remnants of the sword dance. Outside of Europe, such dances are found in India, Borneo, and the Balkans.


sword dance
a dance in which the performers dance nimbly over swords on the ground or brandish them in the air


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Despite a strong opening by one of EDF's veteran groups, Gamelan Sekar Jaya, in an exquisite Legong (a classic Balinese dance) based on the movements of a crane, and an equally impressive closer by 17-year-old Shanyin Amy Chang in a comedic sword dance, too many of the second weekend's programs sagged.
There Crown Prince and Prime Minister Sheikh Saad Abdullah al-Sabah presided over a colorful ceremony that included a sword dance.
Act III contains a virile sword dance in Bolshoi fashion for Hercules, the two fiances, and the male villagers.
 
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