Hora Dance: Circular Direction Cultural Dance

The hora sounds like a pretty unique dance, and in all honesty it really is. The hora is a type of circular dance where dancers move in a circular direction. It is generally a traditional dance in many cultures, and dancers dance individually while moving in a group without any partners at all. Perhaps, some of the most popular and famous hora dances are danced by Native Americans although they are also popular in Greek, Ireland, some places in Africa, and Eastern Europe.

The hora has many cultural roots and ties to many other different dances. For example, the hora is a Jewish and Romanian dance, and is linked to many other dances like the Balkans. The hora is also related to the Kolo which is a Yugoslavian dance. It is amazing how one dance can have cultural ties and links to so many other unique dances all over the world.

In the hora dance, as long as the dancers all move in a circular motion, they can dance anyway they want. For example, in many Native American tribal dances, the dances are generally line dances, but they are danced in a circular direction which then classifies them as hora dances. Some steps of the hora dance can be very complicated with one foot crossing the other while they move in one way with their hands moving another. Others can be very simple with just a step up and a step down or something similar. Some other steps include running, increasing the circle's circumference, stamping, jumping, scissor kicks and more. The possibilities are endless!

Hora dances are generally danced to music; however, in different cultures, they may dance to different variation and types of music. Jewish hora dancers will dance to folk songs while some may just dance to music without lyrics or an instrument playing. Some of the music that they dance to actually have lyrics to them, and dancers may sing while they dance. Some of the dances go with fast songs while others have a slow tempo and rhythm to it.