Irish Dance Many of Us Thesis

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These two elements of culture that I have found to be apt in discussion with Irish dance is 1. culture -- people's belief system and; 2. culture- including the artifact which people produces such as art.

Dance and Beliefs

One component of culture is the belief system -- people's ideas and values and its effect on the way people lead their lives (Henslin 5). Let's look into religious values of the Irish society. As an example, we have seen that the Druids were already praising their gods through the form of dance. The way people express their religious values have evolved into a physical expression of reverence to the gods (i.e. By dancing). In this sense, dancing allows for new ways/methods by which a society is able to expresses their faith, i.e. praising and/or revering their gods through dancing.

We can also analyze Irish dance and society's values by what happened during the 17th century. As discussed earlier, during this period a law banning Catholic children from getting education was enacted. However, we can see the Irish society's value for education and art when we learn that Dance Masters continued (albeit secretly) teaching dance to children amidst this law. Indeed, Irish dance allows for the affirmation and identification of the values of Irish society -- in this case, the value for the art of dancing.

Another example of affirmation and identification of Irish values via dance (amidst a reverse relationship where culture influences dance) equally worth noting is the "cake dance." In this we can see the Irish's culture love for fun and entertainment, of competing and showcasing various complex dance moves for the sake of entertainment and enjoyment.

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Last but not the least under this header in which we've looked into people's ideas and beliefs as comprising culture is the Irish's value and love for dancing. Dance was able to influence what people values -- the proliferation of Dance Masters in Irish dance history already demonstrated how much Irish culture values and aims to instill to its people the art of dancing. The formation of Gaelic League also proved the same thing. This organization was formed in 1893 to preserve Irish culture through the promotion of many aspects of Irish culture, including dance (Sheppard par 16). A sense of identity for Irish people is furthermore strengthened especially among Irish people living in foreign lands. According to Clapper (5), Irish dance has been considered a popular expression of people's desire to preserve Irish heritage as children in America and Australia, for their extra-curricular activity, often attend a specific scoil or school for Irish dance classes.

Dance: A Society Production, A Cultural Artifact

The many invasions and happenings in Irish history have concrete influences on how Irish dance have become today. We have seen how dances during the early periods of history (which can already be considered as cultural artifacts) were incorporated in modern dance.

The many variations of Irish dance that people created tell us that Irish dance is an ever-growing form of art -- one in which its people are aimed at building upon and preserving -- one in which its people are proud of. And as " Cinneide (in Sheppard 22) once quoted about Irish dance and Irish culture, -- they have turned into "one of Ireland's greatest exports.".....

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