Childrens' Scarf Dances

About Folk Dance Beyond Motifs

Abstract

The scarf is a less used tool in the methodology of teaching folk dances.  This object, however, had a crucial role both in Hungarian folk dance tradition and in the way of life of peasants. The paper presents the traditional appearances of the scarf in dances and its usage’s symbolic semantic layers with a special focus on wedding pair-choosing dances. The scarf has a privileged role in these playful pair-swapping games, on the one hand as the realisation of improvisation, on the other hand as a means of creating an equal relationship between dance partners. These structural and conceptual conclusions could be translated and applied in the process of dance teaching: the scarf as a tool of methodology eases communication, reveals the dynamism between dance partners and the emotional aspects of dance. The present study is followed by a supplement of 12 scarf games, which provides new ideas for practising dance teachers on how to use the scarf in teaching folk dances.