Irish Vs Scottish?

[Galician]

Question: is sword dancing done only by women? It seems that is the only way I have seen it, yet it would a men's dance in other cultures.

I won't compare the two styles, but I do love the way the kilt swirls on the Highland dancers.

[Coemgen]

I like 'em both!

[beloitpiper]

Question: is sword dancing done only by women? It seems that is the only way I have seen it, yet it would a men's dance in other cultures.

I won't compare the two styles, but I do love the way the kilt swirls on the Highland dancers.

Highland dancing used to be done almost entirely by men, but now it is very rare to see many men doing the fling. So no, the sword dance is not done only by women.

[Mael Coluim]

Terrific video, Arlen! Really shows the difference in the two. Different tunes may show the strength of each type.

[cacunn]

Deleted by Cacunn

[Arlen]

Question: is sword dancing done only by women? It seems that is the only way I have seen it, yet it would a men's dance in other cultures.

I won't compare the two styles, but I do love the way the kilt swirls on the Highland dancers.

As Greg said, Highland dancing used to be almost exclusively if not completely exclusively men.
The sword dance in particular was a bit of a ritual done before battles.
The dance would start with bowing to the four airts before the complicated steps in and out of the crossed swords. Similar to 'Viking' oar walking, it was considered something that talented young warriors would do to show off their skill in general.
However, on the eve of battle it would be done only by the best. A good sword dance with no injuries meant that the battle would go well.

[Jack Daw]

Diane is on the Strathspey list for SCd and apparently they are having a discussion about various European folk dances.
In the conversation this video came up and Diane sent it to me.
I have to say, it strengthened my opinion that I prefer Highland dancing to Irish step dancing, but it shows the similarities and differences fairly well.

Plus, it's strengthened my decision to start Highland dance so that I can get better at SCD.


Here it is.

I have a friend whose daughters were initially learning Irish, but converted to Highland dance and much prefer the latter.

[castledangerous]

I believe I read in Traditional Gaelic Bagpiping, 1745-1945 by John G Gibson, that the step dancing style was "lost" in Scotland to a degree, and replaced by Continentally influenced style known today. Cape Breton is said to have preserved the lost tradition in dance, as well as in piping...

[Darkislander]

I remember my reaction when "Riverdance" first was seen. Blew me away. I don't know of any Scottish dance show of that scale. Is there?

[RCallan]

Where's Hamish?....he know about all of this.

Someone call him and let's see what he thinks.