The Evolution of Russian Folk Dance from Ancient Times

Russian folk dances originate from ancient Rus, yet they preserve their vibrant and distinctive character.

Bright sarafans and even kokoshniks can still be found in any folk dance studio. But even such a stable tradition evolves and changes. Nowadays, no one uses beetroot for blush or dances in bast shoes.

In ancient Rus, dances were held at every festival, celebrating harvest or haymaking. Hence, there were many skilled dancers, singers, and folk musicians.

Everyone loved such holidays from childhood and always contributed something to participate. Children from an early age played pipes and reed flutes, wove bast shoes. Adults lit bonfires and sang songs. Thus, the festival was bright and lively, and folk dance absorbed these very qualities.

Development came with the appearance of new, non-homespun clothing, the ability to buy boots, and the advent of cosmetics. Now beauties dance in boots, and for classes, instead of bare feet, one can use ballet flats or any comfortable sports shoes. The growth of the clothing market particularly influenced development. Now any dancer can wear a kokoshnik, not just a girl from a wealthy family.

The music for dances also evolved. Nowadays, you rarely see a live orchestra, and if you do, it likely won't include gusli. This complex splendor has been beautifully replaced by recordings and ready-made music CDs. Modern dancers often use new folk songs or motifs, not content with ancient melodious music.

But basically, the dance has remained as originally established by the Russian people, so when you come to classes, you directly immerse yourself in and get acquainted with the culture of ancient Rus. All movements remain broad, like the Russian soul, smooth for women and sharp for men. The same round dances, games, spins, or squat jumps. All this can be seen and even learned in any modern folk dance studio.

Before the Baptism of Rus and the adoption of Christianity, dances were held at many religious festivals, hence the screams to ward off evil spirits and bright costumes. Previously, jumping over bonfires and night round dances in the forest were mandatory. Now jumping over bonfires is unnecessary, dangerous, and often there is no suitable venue, but high jumps in folk dance have been preserved to this day.

If you decide to learn folk dances, you don't need to rush to the store for a sarafan. Classes are now held in any comfortable clothing, and beginners are guided to correct their posture, learn various steps, walks, and jumps. For the coach to monitor your movements correctly, you will need regular sportswear. Sarafans and full outfits are only worn a few sessions before a performance to get used to the ribbons and skirts, and of course at the concert itself.

Before the concert, don't forget to put on makeup and braid your hair with ribbons. Our ancestors used to rub beet on their cheeks and darken eyebrows with stove soot. Now you have convenient cosmetics that let you look brightly folk without irritating your skin.

To fully capture the folk look, don't forget colored ribbons in your hair, a kokoshnik with pearls. If the group has a special desire, the teacher can teach everyone to dance in bast shoes, and you could perform in them. But for first performances, it's better to use regular shoes.

Although folk dances have not changed much since ancient times, they remain attractive and interesting for modern beauties and handsome men. Besides the beauty of dance, you will correct your posture, hold your head high, develop muscles, improve and tone your figure, and increase your knowledge of Russian culture. Definitely give it a try!