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DANCE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
There are numerous examples of aboriginal peoples who recognize the dancers
and actors of their tribes to be so essential to the life of the tribe
that they are excused from the day to day labors of working for food and
shelter so their full attention can be focused on these sacred tasks.
In indigenous Hawaiian culture, for example, it is believed that dancers
practicing Hula influence wind, wave, weather and many other larger patterns,
creating safe passage for boats and travelers. Without these arts practitioners
to create sheltered harbor amidst the swift currents of an everchanging
earth, they believe their culture will cease to function. For these reasons,
dancers were once chosen at birth, their entire lives dedicated to the
Hula Goddess Laka.
The temple dancers of India were once likewise chosen at birth or a
very young age and spent their lives on temple grounds built distinctly
for this purpose by the efforts of the rest of the tribe. Many Indigenous
American tribes also believe that their dance and song influences the
weather and relates them to the places where they live, gather and hunt.
Aboriginal Australians use song and movement to map the terrains they
travel. Without these “songlines” to guide them, they believe
they will become lost, putting their survival in jeopardy.
When we recognize the distinct lack of these ancient arts, we can now
see that modern society is indeed quite lost, and our own survival is
in jeopardy. All who are interested in forming a healthy, sustainable
new society would be well-advised to invest in a resurgence of these arts.
Dance as if your life depends on it (it does).
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