Posted by ravencrest on January 09, 2000 at 07:45:20:
In Reply to: Dance posted by markos on January 08, 2000 at 01:15:37:
:
: of Death, or Totem Tanz, was a custom believed to have originated in France, which then filtered
: into Germany, Italy, Spain, and England. It was carried on throughout the middle ages, and was
: at its peak during the 14th and 15th centuries, when many references to it appear in songs,
: poems, and dramas, or are depicted on murals in cemeteries, churches, cloisters, and vaults.
: The Dance of Death reveals the great preoccupation of mankind during this period with death.
: Legends of vampires, werewolves, and ghosts were found throughout Europe during the Dark Ages,
: and many customs had been devised to prevent the dead from returning. These included binding
: together the feet of the dead, driving nails into their feet, carrying on a death watch and
: singing and performing games and dances during wakes or after the grave had received the corpse.
: Particularly in Northern European countries, it was customary for those rites to include music and
: and dancing. The belief was that music exorcised the dead, forced them into compliance at being
: taken to the grave, and prevented them from walking the earth again; church bells were thought
: to drive demons away, and to comfort and protect the dead (Backman).
Guys, this sounds sooooo cool1! I think dance has been used in all facets of life birth, death, love, marriage, and just to celebrate. It's been around for the begginning of all time wikth the early man beating onstones and hides. Do you like drum circles and trancelike dancing. I do. When I dance at a gothic nightclub or at home I go into a trancey state. It's very refreshing when I do it.