Most families have traditions they hold sacred. Traditions that each generation learns to respect, value, and carry out accordingly. It could be simple and meaningful, like sitting down to dinner every night and making time for each other, gathering for the holidays and exchanging gifts, visiting certain places together on special occasions, the list just goes on. Then there are traditions that stand out from the rest.
Fun and full of spirit, traditions like dancing unite families, inspire many others, and highlight the beauty of culture.
Three sisters prove how wonderful preserving tradition and culture is through dancing – Irish dancing!
A far cry from today’s dance moves, Irish dancing isn’t something that anyone can easily do, which means these sisters definitely know their stuff. From their stance alone, you can pretty much tell that Irish dancing requires a bit of balance and flexibility, too.
The rich history and fascinating culture of the Irish makes the dance even more interesting to watch.
Said to have originated from the Druids, a cultural class of mystical people who danced to honor the trees and the sun for religious rituals, Irish dancing just kept evolving as more groups surfaced into existence. The Celts, for instance, traveled all the way from Central Europe, equipped with some unique dancing and music of their own. Then you have the Anglo-Normans who set foot on Irish shores sometime in the 12th century, armed with customs of their own which included song and dance styles.
Despite the continuous combination of styles and practices with each class, one thing remained constant: the magical way Irish dances were performed by girls in beautiful dresses.
The Rince Fada, the Irish Hey, and the Trenchmore are perfect examples of why stunning costumes are essential in dancing.
These sisters may not have been wearing traditional Irish dancing costumes but their matching outfits and bright smiles went perfectly with their performance of the Irish Stepdance.
While it’s one of the most recognized dances in the world, its cultural value remains intact because of the brilliant way costumes continue to evolve: from dresses and capes to black leggings and more modern pieces.
As demonstrated by the three girls, this Irish dance involves keeping one’s arms behind the back, and intricate, captivating footwork.
Dancing in synchronicity, the sisters looked quite happy and confident as they danced. If this number brings a smile to your face, imagine how much more delightful it’d be if they had on traditional costumes.
And since Irish history tells us that dancing was an important part of rituals, we can picture just how the Irish from past centuries went about it: flames crackling in the night, hooded costumes with capes, and movement that had significance for the gods they worshipped. While these sisters’ dancing leans more towards entertainment, there’s no denying the cultural influence in each step.
Coincidentally too, they danced against a backdrop of lush trees – a detail reminiscent of how it all used to be.
It’s people like these beautiful young women who keep traditions alive beautifully.
Confidently dancing for online audiences, it’s an inspiring gesture that will definitely make the Irish proud.
Watch the beautiful dance below.
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