Day 2 – Dance: Thai Ram Thai, Balinese Legong, and Korean Fan Dance
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Identify the unique movements, costumes, and cultural meanings of the Thai Ram Thai, Balinese Legong, and Korean Fan dances.
- Explain how these dances reflect the traditions, values, and beliefs of their respective cultures.
- Demonstrate understanding by comparing the similarities and differences among these three traditional Asian dances.
- Ram Thai – A traditional Thai dance characterized by graceful hand gestures and elegant postures.
- Mudras – Symbolic hand movements used in Thai and other Asian dances.
- Legong – A Balinese dance featuring intricate finger movements, expressive eyes, and elaborate costumes.
- Gamelan – The Indonesian musical ensemble that often accompanies Legong dance.
- Korean Fan Dance (Buchaechum) – A Korean cultural dance performed with large, colorful fans forming floral and wave patterns.
- Hanbok – Traditional Korean costume often worn in fan dance performances.
- Symbolism – The representation of cultural beliefs, stories, or values through dance movements.
- What role does costume usually play in traditional dances?
Show Answer
Costumes often represent cultural identity, tradition, and symbolism, helping express the story or meaning of the dance. - Why do many traditional Asian dances include hand and arm movements?
Show Answer
Because hand gestures and arm positions like mudras often symbolize emotions, nature, or spiritual beliefs. - How is music important in traditional dances?
Show Answer
Music sets the rhythm and mood of the performance and is often inseparable from dance in Asian traditions.
Part 1: Thai Ram Thai Dance
The Ram Thai is one of the most graceful and symbolic dances of Thailand. Its beauty lies in the elegance of slow, deliberate gestures of the hands, arms, and posture.
Historical Background
- Originated in the royal courts of Thailand centuries ago.
- Connected to religious ceremonies, harvest festivals, and royal celebrations.
- Reflects values of grace, harmony, and respect.
Guiding Question 1: Why did Ram Thai develop in the royal courts rather than villages?
Show Answer
Because it emphasizes refinement and elegance, qualities associated with royal and ceremonial environments.Key Features
- Hand Gestures (Mudras): Symbolize nature, emotions, and cultural beliefs.
- Costumes: Traditional silk dresses with crowns or headdresses.
- Music: Thai instruments like the ranat ek and khong wong.
Movements
- Gentle swaying of arms and hands.
- Bending of wrists and stretching of fingers.
- Small, slow steps symbolizing humility.
Guiding Question 2: How do slow and graceful movements reflect Thai cultural values?
Show Answer
They reflect respect, harmony, and self-control, which are central values in Thai culture.Mini-Summary: Ram Thai expresses courtly grace through slow, symbolic hand and body movements.
Part 2: Balinese Legong Dance
The Legong Dance of Bali is one of the most refined forms of Balinese performance, known for intricate gestures and expressive eyes.
Historical Background
- Developed in the palaces of Bali in the 19th century.
- Traditionally performed by young girls trained from early childhood.
- Linked to myths, folklore, and Hindu rituals.
Key Features
- Costumes: Elaborate golden headdresses and colorful sarongs.
- Music: Always accompanied by the gamelan ensemble.
- Movement Style: Intricate hand and finger movements, fast eye movements called seledet, flexible torso, graceful head tilts.
Guiding Question 3: Why is eye movement important in Legong dance?
Show Answer
Balinese aesthetics emphasize expression through every part of the body including the eyes to communicate emotion and storytelling.Cultural Role
- Depicts stories from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.
- Performed in temple festivals and ceremonies.
- Symbol of Balinese identity and spirituality.
Mini-Summary: Legong blends precise gestures and expressive eyes with gamelan music to convey sacred stories.
Part 3: Korean Fan Dance (Buchaechum)
The Buchaechum or Korean Fan Dance is a highly symbolic group performance that forms living patterns with fans.
Historical Background
- Originated in the early 20th century inspired by older shamanistic and folk dances.
- Performed during cultural festivals and national celebrations.
- Represents beauty, grace, and harmony with nature.
Key Features
- Props: Large fans painted with flowers.
- Costumes: Colorful hanbok.
- Movements: Synchronized group formations creating flowers, butterflies, and waves.
Guiding Question 4: Why is the fan a powerful symbol in Korean culture?
Show Answer
The fan symbolizes nature, beauty, and prosperity often associated with flowers, wind, and harmony.Cultural Role
- Showcases Korea’s appreciation for nature and unity.
- Performed internationally as a symbol of Korean heritage.
Mini-Summary: Buchaechum uses coordinated fan formations to celebrate harmony with nature and group unity.
Part 4: Comparing the Three Dances
| Dance | Origin | Key Features | Cultural Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ram Thai | Thailand | Graceful hand gestures, slow steps, silk costumes | Reflects harmony, respect, royal traditions |
| Legong | Bali Indonesia | Intricate hand and eye movements, gamelan music | Temple rituals, Hindu stories, Balinese identity |
| Fan Dance | Korea | Fans form flowers and waves, hanbok costumes | Festivals, cultural identity, nature symbolism |
Guiding Question 5: What do these three dances teach us about how Asia expresses culture through movement?
Show Answer
Dance is a mirror of cultural values expressing spirituality, identity, and harmony with nature.Real-Life Applications
- Discipline and Teamwork: Group dances require cooperation similar to sports teams.
- Art and Design: Costumes inspire fashion and stage design.
- Cultural Awareness: Learning dances preserves heritage and builds respect.
- Well-being: Slow mindful movements resemble meditation promoting calmness.
Final Mini-Summary: Ram Thai, Legong, and Fan Dance reveal a deep connection between movement, music, and cultural identity across Asia.
Worked Examples
- Identifying a Dance
Which Southeast Asian dance is known for slow, graceful hand movements and originated in royal courts?Show Answer
The Thai Ram Thai Dance performed with elegance and symbolic hand gestures originally from Thailand’s royal courts. - Movements
Which dance uses fast eye movements called seledet to convey emotion?Show Answer
The Balinese Legong Dance where dancers use expressive eye movements as part of storytelling. - Props
Which dance uses fans to create images of flowers waves and butterflies?Show Answer
The Korean Fan Dance Buchaechum. Dancers use fans to form natural patterns in group choreography. - Costumes
Which dance is usually performed wearing the traditional hanbok?Show Answer
The Korean Fan Dance performed in bright-colored hanbok costumes. - Music Accompaniment
Which dance is accompanied by the gamelan ensemble?Show Answer
The Balinese Legong Dance which is always performed with gamelan music.
Now You Try
- Matching
Match the dance with its origin country: 1 Ram Thai 2 Legong 3 Fan Dance BuchaechumShow Answer
1 Thailand Ram Thai 2 Indonesia Legong 3 Korea Fan Dance - Symbolism
Which dance uses fans to symbolize nature and harmony?Show Answer
The Korean Fan Dance where fans symbolize nature like flowers and waves. - Movement Focus
Which dance is famous for its hand gestures and slow steps?Show Answer
The Ram Thai Dance from Thailand. - Ritual Role
Which dance is often performed in temple rituals and tells Hindu epic stories?Show Answer
The Balinese Legong Dance. - Group Work
Which dance emphasizes teamwork by creating floral and wave patterns with props?Show Answer
The Korean Fan Dance since it is performed in coordinated groups.
- Which dance originated in Thailand’s royal courts?
Show Answer
Ram Thai Dance. - The Balinese __________ dance is performed with intricate hand and eye movements accompanied by gamelan.
Show Answer
Legong. - Which dance uses colorful fans to form floral patterns?
Show Answer
Fan Dance Buchaechum. - True or False Ram Thai Dance is fast-paced and uses sharp energetic steps.
Show Answer
False. It is slow graceful and emphasizes elegance. - Match the dance with its feature Ram Thai Legong Fan Dance — a Performed in hanbok with fans b Uses fast eye movements seledet c Originated in Thai royal courts.
Show Answer
Ram Thai → c; Legong → b; Fan Dance → a. - Why do Ram Thai dancers use slow and graceful movements?
Show Answer
To symbolize harmony respect and self-control which are important Thai cultural values. - What makes the Legong dance unique compared to Ram Thai?
Show Answer
Legong features rapid eye and hand movements with gamelan while Ram Thai emphasizes slow graceful gestures. - If you were part of a fan dance performance what group values would you need to practice?
Show Answer
Teamwork synchronization discipline and cooperation. - Which dance focuses more on props Legong or Fan Dance?
Show Answer
Fan Dance since the fans are central to creating patterns. - Which of the three dances would you most like to perform and why?
Show Answer
Answers may vary. Example I would like to try the Fan Dance because of the colorful props and group coordination.
- Which dance originated in Thailand’s royal courts?
- Ram Thai
- Legong
- Fan Dance
Show Answer
a Ram Thai - What is the term for symbolic hand gestures in Thai dance?
Show Answer
Mudras. - True or False Legong dancers are often accompanied by gamelan music.
Show Answer
True. - Fill in the Blank The Korean Fan Dance is also called __________.
Show Answer
Buchaechum. - Match the dance with its costume or prop — Ram Thai Legong Fan Dance.
Show Answer
Ram Thai → Silk dresses with crowns; Legong → Golden headdresses and sarongs; Fan Dance → Colorful fans and hanbok. - Why is Ram Thai considered a graceful dance?
Show Answer
Because of its slow flowing hand and body movements symbolizing harmony and respect. - Which dance requires synchronized teamwork with props?
- Ram Thai
- Legong
- Fan Dance
Show Answer
c Fan Dance. - What cultural value is expressed in the Balinese Legong dance?
Show Answer
Spirituality and storytelling often linked to Hindu epics. - Which dance is known for seledet fast eye movements?
Show Answer
Balinese Legong Dance. - True or False The Korean Fan Dance is only performed by a single dancer.
Show Answer
False. It is performed in groups. - Fill in the Blank The traditional costume used in the Korean Fan Dance is called __________.
Show Answer
Hanbok. - Which dance often depicts stories from Hindu epics?
- Ram Thai
- Legong
- Fan Dance
Show Answer
b Legong. - Explain how teamwork is important in the Korean Fan Dance.
Show Answer
Dancers must coordinate timing and movements to create floral and wave patterns with fans. Without teamwork the formations lose meaning. - Which dance symbolizes elegance and respect in Thailand?
Show Answer
Ram Thai Dance. - Which of the three dances would you most like to witness live and why?
Show Answer
Answers may vary. Example The Legong Dance because of elaborate costumes and live gamelan.
- Research Project: Find another traditional Asian dance not discussed today. Write a short report on its origin movements and cultural meaning.
Show Answer
Examples Barong Dance Indonesia Kabuki Dance Japan or Tinikling Philippines. Each has unique cultural roles. - Costume Study: Sketch the costumes of Ram Thai Legong and Fan Dance. Highlight similarities and differences in design and symbolism.
Show Answer
Ram Thai → silk and elegance; Legong → gold and elaborate; Fan Dance → hanbok and vibrant colors. - Music Connection: Identify the music ensembles that accompany each dance. Discuss how music supports movement.
Show Answer
Ram Thai → Thai classical ensemble; Legong → gamelan; Fan Dance → Korean traditional instruments like gayageum and janggu. - Creative Movement: In small groups choreograph a short dance inspired by either Ram Thai Legong or Fan Dance using simple gestures.
Show Answer
Focus on grace Ram Thai expression Legong or patterns and teamwork Fan Dance. - Cultural Comparison: Interview an elder about a traditional Philippine dance. Compare it with Ram Thai Legong or Fan Dance.
Show Answer
Example Tinikling emphasizes rhythm and agility similar to teamwork in Fan Dance. Pandanggo sa Ilaw emphasizes grace like Ram Thai.
3-2-1 Response (Notebook Task):
- 3 things you learned about Ram Thai Legong and Fan Dance.
- 2 similarities you noticed between these dances and Philippine folk dances.
- 1 question you still have about Asian traditional dance.
No comments:
Post a Comment