tribal dances
Indigenous group rituals
Tribal dances are traditional dances performed by indigenous or ethnic groups, typically tied to cultural rituals, ceremonies, or community celebrations.
The term appears in anthropology and tourism but can sound dated or reductive when applied broadly to diverse traditions: The museum featured videos of tribal dances from across Africa.
More specific terms (Maasai jumping dance, powwow dancing) are usually preferable.
- masksFace-covering disguises
- war paintCeremonial facial markings
- rhythmPatterned stress and silence
- fire circleRinged outdoor hearth
- indigenousOriginating in a region
drums · ceremony · sacred ground · heritage · body paint · tradition · Polynesian · folklore · customs · steps · healing · choreography · storytelling · Amazonian · spirituality · Southeast Asian · Arctic · Aboriginal
- African traditionsinitiation ceremonies, naming ceremony, ancestral worship, rites of passage, healing rituals
- Amazonian tribesGuarani, Amazon tribes, rainforest tribes, clans, village life
- Gulf cultureBedouin, camel racing, dates, dhow, pearl diving
- indigenous traditionselder council, powwows, totem poles, healing rituals, sweat lodges
- Native culturesacred ceremonies, powwow, native languages, drumming, regalia
- tribal traditionsmedicine men, shamans, totem poles, totems, rites of passage
tribal dancesballroom dancing
Formal partnered dance styles
classical ballet · modern dance · contemporary dance · ballet · disco dancing