HISTORY OF HIGHLAND DANCING
Highland dancing began as mainly a man's dance. The Sword dance and Fling had their beginnings in battle. For many years men were only allowed to wear the kilt and the women would wear a dress with a plaid over their shoulders indicating their clan. The dances, which are now called Nationals, are danced by both men and women but the costume for women is generally a white dress with a tartan scarf over the shoulder or the Aboyne costume, a gathered skirt, white blouse and vest. Highland dance developed in the Scottish Highlands sometime around the 11th century and continues to the present day.
The Sword dance and the Fling were originally danced before the beginning of battle to ensure good luck and to instill the proper fighting spirit. The Sword dance is danced on crossed swords and to touch a sword during the dance is considered bad luck. The Fling was originally danced on the Highlander's small leather shield, called a targ. Because of their warlike nature and importance in the Highland culture, the English around 1745 outlawed these dances.
The ban was lifted in 1786 and a new dance, the Seann Truibhas (Old Trousers) was created. This dance shows kicking off the trousers in order to put on the kilt. There are many steps to each dance and for a competition only some are chosen for the dancers to perform. In order to qualify for championships the competitions must be held in compliance with the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.
Teachers who have qualified under the SOBHD examinations must teach the dancers. The SOBHD began in 1949 in order to regulate Highland dance and ensure judges met the same standards.
Highland dancing began as mainly a man's dance. The Sword dance and Fling had their beginnings in battle. For many years men were only allowed to wear the kilt and the women would wear a dress with a plaid over their shoulders indicating their clan. The dances, which are now called Nationals, are danced by both men and women but the costume for women is generally a white dress with a tartan scarf over the shoulder or the Aboyne costume, a gathered skirt, white blouse and vest. Highland dance developed in the Scottish Highlands sometime around the 11th century and continues to the present day.
The Sword dance and the Fling were originally danced before the beginning of battle to ensure good luck and to instill the proper fighting spirit. The Sword dance is danced on crossed swords and to touch a sword during the dance is considered bad luck. The Fling was originally danced on the Highlander's small leather shield, called a targ. Because of their warlike nature and importance in the Highland culture, the English around 1745 outlawed these dances.
The ban was lifted in 1786 and a new dance, the Seann Truibhas (Old Trousers) was created. This dance shows kicking off the trousers in order to put on the kilt. There are many steps to each dance and for a competition only some are chosen for the dancers to perform. In order to qualify for championships the competitions must be held in compliance with the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing.
Teachers who have qualified under the SOBHD examinations must teach the dancers. The SOBHD began in 1949 in order to regulate Highland dance and ensure judges met the same standards.