welcome dance

Greeting through movement

A welcome dance is a traditional or ceremonial dance performed to greet visitors, honor guests, or mark someone's arrival.

Many cultures have specific welcome dances—from Polynesian performances greeting tourists to Native American ceremonies receiving dignitaries.

The term also applies more casually to any enthusiastic physical greeting: The dog did her welcome dance when I got home.

Related

ritual · tribal · tribal elders · native peoples · festive · arrival · celebration · cultural exchange · choreography · drums · procession · cultural · honor · guests · performers · traditional dress · costumes · rhythm

Opposites
purpose/occasion

welcome danceclosing ceremony

Formal concluding event

funeral dance · last dance · death dance

social intent

welcome dancedismissal

Removal from position

cold shoulder · turning away

hospitality stance

welcome dancewar dance

Ritualistic pre-combat performance

Family

welcome, dance, welcomed, welcoming, welcomes, unwelcome, danced, dances, dancing

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G