FOLKDANCE IN DENMARKThe description

FOLKDANCE IN DENMARK
The descriptions below are specific for Denmark, however, the other scandinavian countries had wery similar clothing and dancing traditions.

The Dances and the Music

A short history: Danish folkdance is very old. In fact most dances are from around 1780-1880. That might not sound that old, but the fact is, that most other countries has folkdances that is much younger... (from 1840-1930, actually).

The Danish dances were danced by the farmers and the poor people (that's why it's called folkdance - dances for the mass). These people wasn't allowed to dance the dances danced in higher circles - for example the were not allowed to dance menuette (french dance - very popular in noble circles in the 16-19th century) and dances like that. Instead they had their own dances which could be quite advanced. There were ring-dances, 2, 3 and 4 pair dances, 3-person dances (if there was a shortage of men each man had two female dancers ...), 8-pair dances, and row-dances. And, of course, single pair dances. The dominating types are 4-pair dances and the ring-dances.