There are many different kinds of traditional dances, from traditional dances by the Europeans to dances in Africa. In Africa every festival has its own ritual dance, music, and song. Most of the dancers that dance in festivals wear elaborately painted masks or body paint. They dance with intricate steps and spontaneous movements. Africans dance with a style called multiunit, which in when their arms spiral and their legs and torsos move freely

In West Africa, dance is used in symbolic rituals of everyday life. When someone is born or someone has died, a dance may be performed for honor. At times a dance may become wild in a style called convulsive. A witch doctor or medicine man may lead a dance to sure a sick person. The people in the community most of the time join in the dance to become part of the presentation.

In ancient West Africa dances were performed mostly as an important part or religious rituals in traditional ceremonies. All the leaders of the tribes were expected to be skilled dancers before they were allowed to hold office. Dancers in Africa today have a purpose that is more social than religious. Native dances from Africa have left their mark on American’s most popular social dances.

In European dance, tradition was brought to American by the early colonists. European dancing was often a single-unit or harmonic style. The torso is held stiff and straight, and there is little arm movement and almost no spontaneous actions.

Dance doesn’t all simply tell a story. It used to bring people together, be reinforcing their shared beliefs about their place in the worlds or celebrating their relationship with the supernatural. Some dances, such as the Native American ghost dance, were created to channel frustration and bring hope for the future.

People everywhere take pleasure in beautiful objects, music and dance. Yet what is seen as graceful or lovely in one culture can be though ugly or inappropriate in another.

Throughout the world, performers apply make-up to dramatize their features whether they use ochers, charcoal, synthetic materials or paints made from powdered stones, make-up has many uses

It highlights beauty: transforms humans into heroes demons, or animals; or acts as a mask, hiding a dancer’s identity.