FUNCTIONS OF DANCE/ WHY DO PEOPLE DANCE?

Within the broad spectrum of the concept of dance, the functions of dance may include or
classified under emotional, physical, social, ethical, behavioral, mental, learning etc.
Therefore the functions of dance includes entertainment, education, recreation, worship and
propitiation, emotional release and physical expressions, social cohesion and socialization,
religious devotion, therapy and healing, enforcement to conformity and social norms,
validation of social institutions and religious rituals, cultural identity and preservation,
contribution to the integration of the society.

i. Entertainment: One of the most common functional values of dance is its

entertainment culture and this value is unlimited and inexhaustible. Dance not
only entertainments the audience, it amuses the performer(s). Dance is use to
entertain guests at social or ceremonial events, it is equally use to coordinate
theatrical events such as musical performances, dance shows, dance competitions,
dance drama and operatic shows. While the functional essence of dance as
entertainment can be further explored in musical video, movies, television
programs etc, it can be employed in television commercials to relay messages and
sell products and services.

ii. Education: Today as always, dance functions as means of education. Dance has
basically been integrated into the broader educational system from kindergarten to
tertiary institution either as part of learning process or as part of the main
curriculum. Amongst students and scholars, dance provides a way of learning and
the development of creative and critical skill, problem solving technique through
the development of sound mind. As a functional role played by dance, the
exploration and development of natural human instinct is possible with the use of
dance. The acquired skills help to further develop one’s motor skills as well as
mental and emotional personalities.

iii. Identity: Dance is a product of the society; therefore it acts as the store house for
human culture. In understanding the differences in human culture and society far
beyond the psychological, biological or universally constructed traits, dance plays
a significant role. Dance codes images, stories, language, occupation and cultural
traits for easy identification of a people. Realistic, mythical or imagined story are
captured, expressed and documented in different dances.

iv. Recreation: Another valuable reason why people indulge in dance is conceived in
its recreational usages. Dance has a lot of mental and physical benefits especially
as regards weight lose and management; it aids physical fitness and foster sound
mind, improves the condition of the various organs of the body such as the heart,
lungs etc. and encourages emotional stability when administered appropriately.
Dance also helps to strengthen the body muscles and bones, aiding motor fitness,
 flexibility and agility. All of these are some of the reasons why dance is use as a
recreational activity not only for the youths but also the elderly.

v. Therapy and Healing: Dance similarly serves therapeutic functions either in

prevention of an unwanted condition or in healing. On one hand, dance is said to
have cathartic value. This means that dance helps in the physical expression of
inner emotions or release of built up emotions People dance merely for the
pleasure of experiencing the body or expressing the capability of the human body.
On the other hand, studies have shown that dance exercises have healing effects
on sick patients; it helps to enhance quality health through stress reduction
techniques, mobility, physical and cognitive integration. There is a brand of the
study of dance known as Dance Movement Therapy (DMT). The Dance
Movement Therapy employs dance as a psycho-physical and psychotherapeutic
form to enhance the human mind and body. This type of expressive therapy
basically dwells on the connection between emotion and movement and use
specific dance movements as a curative form in helping individuals and groups
achieve and maintain certain level of physical and emotional control. While dance
helps to achieve this, a lot of individuals engage in this therapy and are socially
integrated into different therapeutic relationships, elitist and non-elitist groups
which also promote sound health.

vi. Religious Devotions: Dance serves religious or sacred purposes. By this, rituals
and rites as much as the different types of worship are noted as parts of the basic
functions of dance. Because dance emerged partly from rituals, dance has become
one of the many ways through which religious rituals are performed especially by
tribal or primitive societies. Dance is use as part of the proceedings of rituals and
worship, it is equally employed to cap up the ceremonies following these events.
Other religious forms particularly Christianity, Hinduism and Messianic Judaism
use dance in worship either in seeking favor or in offering thanks to their God.

vii. Socialization: Socialization and social skills are vital prerequisites in creating
healthy individuals and society; dance is an excellent way of achieving these
social skills. The merits of dance and dancing has been explored from time
immemorial, while dancing helps children in developing their motor skills, it also
aids their communication and social skills. In addition to this social activity,
learning to adapt in team through cooperation, controlling shyness and anxiety and
ultimately making friends can all be achieved in indulging the young minds in
dance exercises. Amongst the youths and elderly, dance can help broaden your
horizons through sensitivity and appreciating individual differences, plays a social
role in uniting individuals and group interaction either from the same or different
social class and status.

viii. Teaching and Enlightenment: Through engaging in dance theatres, a lot of

teaching and enlightenment of individuals and general masses take place. In
 theatre for development (TFD) which is a vehicle to social cohesion and mass
education, dance is most often employed as a tool not only for entertainment but
inquiry and illumination into social courses. Other forms of theatre particularly
African traditional theatre also employ the use of dance to validate certain social
and behavioral patterns, teaching values and enforcing conformity to social norms

ix. Professionalism and Career: Dance is classified as both skilled and unskilled
labor. There are a number of career opportunities in the dance field; these includes
becoming a dancer, choreographer, dance teacher or instructor, dance therapist,
dance videographer and photographer, dance critic, dance journalist, costumier/
designer, dance technician etc. One can even be employed in the field of dance to
work in the administrative department such as the PR (Marketing) for a dance or
Theatre Company. For these career oriented and professional reasons, a lot of
people engage in dance and they are known as dance artistes. The theatre artists
use dance in a number of ways and evidences abound in the historic records of
theatre experiences from the classical era to the modern day.

In conclusion, the functionalists have also identified other functions including viewing dance
as an organ for social control, participation and solidarity. Dance help create a completely
self-contained world for individual dancers wherein physical efforts and prowess beyond that
which is humanly possible is attained through rigorous training and consistency.