ANCIENT

EGYPT
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Three Main Periods
Three Main
Three Main Periods
Periods ((2686 B.C. to 2181 B.C.)
It was known for the construction of the great pyramid and the sphinx under the rule of Pharaoh
Khufu, it also known as the “age of the Pyramid” or “Age of the Pyramids builders”.
 There are many depictions of dances from the Old
Kingdom but the depiction vary little. The dances
were usually performed by women or young girls.
One early dance for which there are images shows a
group dance by women with their arms raised above
their head. Accompaniment is provided by women
clapping and perhaps calling out. Some dancers
performed in the nude and had unique ball-shaped
hair styles. Pair dances, featuring men and women
There are holding hands, are associated
many depictions of dancesmost
fromwith
thefunerals.
Old Kingdom but the depictio
vary little.Images of women
The dances werein usually
loinclothes and braidsbydoing
performed women or young girls. On
deep backbend, high kicks and other precarious
early dance for which there are images shows a group dance by women wit
postures are thought to have been of acrobatic
their arms raised above their head. Accompaniment is provided by women
dancers or even erotic ones.
clapping and perhaps calling out. Some dancers performed in the nude and
unique ball-shaped hair styles. Pair dances, featuring men and women hold
hands, are associated most with funerals. Images of women in loinclothes a
braids doing deep backbend, high kicks and other precarious postures are
thought to have been of acrobatic dancers or even erotic ones.
 (2055 B.C. to 1650 B.C.)
a time of achievements for the ancient Egyptians. Art took on new styles and techniques, like the
block style, where art was produced from large blocks of stone.
 Middle Kingdom dances included acrobatic Hathor dances in
which dancers laid on their stomachs are reached backs until
their heads touched their feet; erotic danced by skirted
quartets of young girls representing the union of the Sun god
Ra with Hathor (“the mistresses of the sky”); large group
dances with many men and women held in conjunction with
funeral processions. Dances in reliefs and murals show men
doing pirouettes and women mimicking the effects of the
There are wind
many depictions
with their hands. of
Onedances from
intriguing scenethe Old
shows Kingdom but the depictio
a man
doing
vary little. Thea squatting
dances “Russian style” dance.
were usually Finger snapping
performed was
by women or young girls. On
added to the array of rhythmic sounds.
early dance for which there are images shows a group dance by women wit
their arms raised above their head. Accompaniment is provided by women
clapping and perhaps calling out. Some dancers performed in the nude and
unique ball-shaped hair styles. Pair dances, featuring men and women hold
hands, are associated most with funerals. Images of women in loinclothes a
braids doing deep backbend, high kicks and other precarious postures are
thought to have been of acrobatic dancers or even erotic ones.
 (1550 B.C. to 1070 B.C.)
was a golden age of architecture and art, known especially for monumental architecture and
statuary honoring the gods and pharaohs.
 In the New Kingdom period dance scene show up frequently
in banquet scenes and depict dance as much more joyous
endeavor. They portray dancer-musicians in long, filmy
gowns, delicately affecting head, arm, torso or leg gestures
while playing the lute, flute, double oboe, lyre or
tambourine...Many dancers are girls, very young and
nude...some of them black. Movements are concentrated
mainly on the upper body. Occasionally, clappers are
There are many depictions of dances from the Old Kingdom but the depictio
used...One notable scene is interpreted as a belly dance,
vary little. The dances were usually
exalting performed by women or young girls. On
fertility.”
early dance for which there are images shows a group dance by women wit
their arms raised above their head. Accompaniment is provided by women
clapping and perhaps calling out. Some dancers performed in the nude and
unique ball-shaped hair styles. Pair dances, featuring men and women hold
hands, are associated most with funerals. Images of women in loinclothes a
braids doing deep backbend, high kicks and other precarious postures are
thought to have been of acrobatic dancers or even erotic ones.