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The following is an outline of these folk dances which have grown out of the life of the people who danced them and so, like language, reveal something of their customs, habits and work.

 

"The Bèlè"QUADRILLE: A square dance of French origin. Four couple dance opposite and with each other. In the original Quadrille there are five separate and complete figures. The whole forms a set of Quadrille. This can take some time to complete, and since most are now done as public performances rather than for personal amusement, a number of sets are usually cut out. The pace of the quadrille has naturally been quickened and among the types danced today are the 'Sharp' 'Slow', 'French' and 'Irish' Quadrilles.

 

LANCERS: This is a later quadrille which came via Britain in the 1830's and contained familiar figures from the traditional English dances and Scottish and Irish reels. It was popular with the military and the steps of the male have a more stiff and formal pace.

 

MAZOOK: From the Mazurka which had its origins in Poland but was very popular in France and so came to the West Indies. The steps have great variety but the music pattern starts with a smooth glide on the third note, shuffle step for the next note, another smooth glide and a series of cross steps until one is back to the first position. A special feature is the clicking and raising of the heels at the end of each round in the Heel and Toe Polka Mazook.

 

BÉLÉ: This probably is the earliest Creole dance which also has the strongest, virtually untouched African pattern. It has its roots in mating and fertility dance rites. There is a single instrument - the tambou drum - which is properly made of goat skin stretched over a hallowed tree trunk. The drum rhythm follows the steps of the single dancer who performs in a circle of spectators who also form the chorus or lavway for the lead or chantuelle.

 

Although there are two dancers, only one usually dances at a time except at the end. The pattern usually is:

1. Cavalier show physical style and prowess.

2. Dam shows approval and tempts him.

3. The Cavalier seeks the Dam once more.

4. Both dance in the most heated piece.In all pieces dancing is directed towards the drum.

 

Bèlè is noted for the deep booming drum very vigorous body movement and steps, high pitched lavway with short and simple wording. Its name is said to originate from the French 'Belle Aire', but because of it strong African pattern it must have had another earlier African name. Its present name may be based on the old French word 'aire' meaning 'threshing platform' which was like the coffee glacee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some other dances which were once popular but have either been lost or have been mixed with the Quadrilles and Mazook.

 

POLKA: This came from Eastern Europe and arrived here in the 1850's. Its strong staccato quality was immediately popular and easy to adopt to the Creole rhythms.

 

COTILLION: Late 18th century dance. Named from the French for petticoat. Usually danced at the close of a set of Quadrilles.

 

SCHOTTISCHE: Pronounced in Creole 'Sorti', a 19th century dance similar to the polka.

 

CONTREDANSE: Two facing lines, one of men the other of women perform a variety of movements derived from other dance forms, often taking partners and dancing down between the two lines. A popular contredance was done to the music of the Ca Ira during the French Revolution.

 

LA RONDE: A dance done in a circle to Quadrille music.

 

FLIRTATIONS was a similar dance of this period.

 

 

Dominica is known for its extensively celebrated creole heritage. Its series of activities hosted during the independence season represent its commitment to culture as well as sustenance of the African traditions that were left behind by our ancestors. Dr. Lennox Honeychurch in his research noted that the Agricultural practices on the large nineteenth century estates in Dominica were owned by the British. Dominica could not have hoped to match its counterpart islands in their money making abilities of sugar plantation. Therefore, the owners hired lower-class British citizens to work the fields.

 

The constant rivalry between the British and original French settlers made monopolization of island affairs and practices problematic.  Each group of settlers brought with them their own customs and practices to the island resulting in the variations in folk dances practice today. Although slavery has been abolished, some of the practices still remained and the island still performs some of the dances as a reminder of our ancestors’ toil.

 

Bèlè is the most evident feature of African heritage in Dominica. It was introduced by the slaves to depict their strong African heritage.  The main instrument used is the Tambou “drum” bèlè and a supporting instrument, the Ting Ting “Triangle”. It involves a male and female (in Creole, Kavalyé and Danm) and a choir with a lead singer.

Jing Ping represents the pinnacle of musical creativity in Dominica. It includes a variety of dance forms such as quadrille, lancers, flirtation, polka/heel &toe, schottische, mazouk and waltz. Jing Ping music adapts traditional creole melodies and calypsos to unique style. The instruments used to play are as follows:

 

• Primary Rhythmic Instrument (Tanbal) – It is the most important since the Tanbal player keeps the meter consistent for the other players to key directly from it. The Tanbal is a shallow drum with tightly stretched goatskin, held down by two or three wooden rings.

• Bass Instrument (The Boom-Boom) – A hollowed wooden bwa Kan or piece of bamboo. There is no mouthpiece but the playing end has a slant cut to enhance the sound.

• Percussion (Gwaj or Siyak) – Has two parts; a cylinder measuring 3.5 inches in diameter and 10.5 inches length with holes like a grate in it. The cylinder also has Gwen toloman (Canna Edules) or Jombi beads (Arbas precatorius). The other part is three 6-inch long wires of metal. It is played by shaking the cylinder and scrapping the metal stick against it.

• Melodic Instrument (Accordion, Banjo, Mouth organ or Violin) – The accordion is mostly used. The accordionist keeps the tunes and may improvise from time to time. He/she key according to the rhythm of the Tanbal player.

 

One can deem Dominica as the only Caribbean island with such rich cultural heritage due to its prolonged mixture and practice of African, European and British culture.

 

Traditional Dances Performed in Dominica

 

Bèlè Dance                                                             Lancers                                                                    Flirtation 

 

Polka /Heel and Toe                                         Schottische                                                                   Mazouk  

                                                     

Waltz                                                                       Cotillion                                                                  Contresdanse 

 

The Traditional Dances in Detail

Bèlè Dances

 

Bèlè originated from festivals associated with mating and fertility. The Tambou “drum” is constructed using a small barrel or a hollow trunk with goat skin stretched across and pins stuck into the string to give it a ringing sound. Three types of Bèlè are practiced in Dominica; Bèlè pitchee, Bèlè soute, and Bèlè wond, each with their own specific movements, songs and beats. The dance is done by following the steps and drumbeats. Two players beat the tambou bèlè simultaneously. The lead drummer plays according to the dancers’ footwork whilst the other player called the boula plays a steady based rhythm.

The chantuelle who is lead singer has the strong voice, and the lavway (the choir) responds to the call of the chantuelle. They dance in a specific pattern. Bèlè is widely known and appreciated in Dominica. During the eighteenth century it was performed under a tree on rare occasions. Today, nonetheless, it is not so popular as before. It resurfaces during the independence celebrations.

 

Heel and Toe /Polka

 

Polka /Heel and Toe were introduced by the Europeans. There are a few variations but the one usually danced is explained here. It is performed by extending legs and places back down on heel. This is a fairly easier dance which involves three quick step (left, right, left) dance sequence .You then extend the right leg to the side, place it down on the heel. Bend the knee and bring the foot in on the ball behind the heel of the left foot. Starting on the right leg first, execute three more quick steps (right, left, left).

 

Waltz Dance

 

Waltz is a widely known dance throughout the world done by couples. Waltz depicts a graceful aura. In Dominica it is executed fast with full facial and body expression. Walt Au Vien – the Dominican version comprises of two sets of side to side, slow step shuffles followed by sequence of 16 basic waltz steps in moderate tempo, three quarter time and the dancer does four sets of steps shuffles to the right and reverses the pattern on the left. The sequence is done twice followed by 16 waltz steps.

 

Lancers

 

Lancers was first introduced by the British slave owners in the early eighteenth century. It is one of the most graceful Jing Ping dances. It’s a square dance with six figures. The drummer whom is the main figure directs the dance. Lancers is usually performed at special occasions like weddings and arrival of European delegation. It was last performed in 1986 in Tete Morne, Grandbay but as of 1998 only Petite Savanne Cultural Group knows the dance.

 

Schottische

 

Schottische (pronounced Sotice) originated from the early nineteenth century. It is similar to polka. Couples usually perform this dance gracefully in the two-part sequence. The dance stresses foot movements whilst the upper part of the body smoothly sways to the quick, sharp footwork.

 

Cotillion

 

Cotillion is ballroom style dance that was done in the 1930’s. It derived its name from the French petticoat which reflects the changing of petticoats as the partners turn. The dance has since become extinct and many Dominicans are not aware of the sequence.

 

Flirtation

 

Flirtation is square dance inherited from the French. The figures form a circle then “avansé” all at once to start off. It involves the male partners exchanging expressions with the Danm in a very flirtatious manner as they exchange positions. There are five types of flirtation in Dominica; round, right round, flirtation oba, Alma flirtation and flirtation of the north. This graceful dance embodies four figures – similar to the quadrille.

 

Mazouk

 

Mazouk originated from the early European settlers in the eighteen century. It is a short sequence dance that comprises of distinctive foot movements. Usually it’s a couple’s dance but can be done by one person. There are three types of mazouk in Dominica; mazouk yon pa which is a five step sequence usually done in Boetica, English mazouk which is executed in sequence of six shuffle steps followed by four steps as you turn and lastly mazouk dé pa which is the most difficult type because the sequence uses specific terms and directions and a specific musical phrase.

 

Contresdanse Dance

 

Contresdanse is a couple’s dance which originated from the early Middle Western classical music. It was known as English Country Dance but the French copied it and renamed it “Contra dance or Contresdanse”. During the 1930’s it was highly performed but since the introduction of square dances like quadrille it have declined. The dance requires six to twelve individual figures in a line formation.