Dutch folk dance are the traditional dances that were performed by the folk. Foreigners and the Dutch, alike, associate Dutch folk dance with

clog dancing Clog dancing is a form of step dance characterised by the wearing of inflexible, Clog (British), wooden soled clogs. Clog dancing developed into differing intricate forms both in Wales and also in the North of England. Welsh clog dancing mainly ...

, though

clog Clogs are a type of footwear that has a thick, rigid sole typically made of wood, although in American English, shoes with rigid soles made of other materials are also called clogs. Traditional clogs remain in use as protective footwear in a ...

s in practice limit the dance moves. Therefore, the folk dance is mostly danced in

shoes A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and comfort the human foot. Though the human foot can adapt to varied terrains and climate conditions, it is vulnerable, and shoes provide protection. Form was originally tied to function, but ...

. Historically the Dutch danced in shoes as this was part of their Church going clothing. Clogs were used for work only. On harvest feasts the farmers often did dance on clogs though, as the feast followed the harvest, where they had been wearing clogs. De eierdans Rijksmuseum SK-A-3

In the East of the Netherlands dances like ''Driekusman'', ''Hoksebarger'', ''Veleta'', ''Kruispolka'' and the ''Spaanse Wals'' share the origin with German dances, but some are even danced in countries further away, like Poland and Lithuania. Or at least using the same melodies. The actual dances may differ. The "Veleta" used to be a common dance in many parts of the Netherlands during the 1950s till the 1970s on weddings and even in dancings, just like the ballroom dances Waltz, Quickstep and Tango. Nowadays, new folk dances are still being created. It concerns new

dance move Dance moves or dance steps (more complex dance moves are called dance patterns, dance figures, dance movements, or dance variations) are usually isolated, defined, and organized so that beginning dancers can learn and use them independently of each ...

s (patterns) that borrow from the traditional dances. Folk dances are not often danced anymore. Some old-fashioned farmer weddings still feature them, and in old people homes the dances are used as exercise. Nevertheless, there are quite a few folk dance groups still performing Dutch folk dances. There are two kinds of folk dance groups in the Netherlands: those who want to preserve the traditional local dances, with mainly elderly dancers (50+) and there are less of these groups by time. And those who want to show Dutch folklore on stage with new choreographies based on the original material. The latter ones usually have younger dancers from the age of 8 till 50, and often go to festivals in the Netherlands and abroad

References

{{Dance Dance in the Netherlands European folk dances Dutch dances

See also

References