Belly dancer with a sword
Dance traditions from every corner of the globe integrate props and objects into their performances. Swords are a common prop in dances in many cultures. The inspiration for using a sword for folkloric or theatrical dance forms varies, but some themes are rather common, such as military pride and power. The sword dance takes its inspiration from various subjects, from war to art.
Saudi Arabia
The nation of Saudi Arabia is comprised of a number of nomadic tribal people referred to as Bedouins. The "ardh," or men's sword dance, is the national dance of Saudi Arabia, and in it, Saudi men brandish swords in the air in time to the music, which consists mostly of drum beats to varying rhythms. The dancers wear traditional Bedouin clothing, which varies depending on where the performance takes place and which tribe is performing. Poetry is also part of the performance.
Belly Dance
Though dancers in the Middle East have performed with swords for centuries, the modern practice of belly dancers with swords can be traced back to Jean-Leon Gerome's 1876 painting "Sabre Dance in a Cafe," which features a dancer with a sword balanced on her head. This painting is believed to have inspired the dance practice, which then became popular for belly dance performers in the United States, Europe and Australia, as well as in the Middle East and North Africa. Modern troupes such as Fat Chance Belly Dance in San Francisco and Atlanta's Nazeem Allayl perform with swords.
Pakistan
"Khattak," a traditional sword dance that dates back to the 14th century, is traditionally performed by the Pashtun men of Pakistan and Afghanistan. The khattak dance is lively and energetic, and the men perform fast, complicated moves while holding one, two or three swords. The dance supposedly originated as a warm-up for men about to go into battle. It then became a folkloric dance form in its own right and eventually a performance form.
Korea
The Korean "geommu" dance is said to be inspired by a folk tale of the tragic death of a young male sword dancer who killed a king during a performance. Over the years, sword dancing became a female performing art. A cave painting from the Goguryuh era (57 BC to 668 BC) shows a female warrior with a sword in what is interpreted to be a dance pose.
The dance as performed today features female dancers in brightly-colored traditional dress who dance while carrying swords. The choreography of the dance, graceful and elegant, uses the movement of the fabric of the dancers' costume as an extension of the movements of the body.
Scotland
In the "ghillie callum" dance of the Scottish Highlands, dancers place swords on the ground and perform high, articulate jumps over and in between the blades. The dance features fast, light jumps and stylized hand and arm movements, and the dancers wear traditional Scottish costume, including the famous kilt. Precision is key, and when dancing in groups, every dancer must be in sync with one another. The ghillie callum is performed to bagpipe music, also indigenous to Scotland.
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