How to learn attan dance

How do people learn the Attan dance? How long does it take? : Pashtun

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r/Pashtun

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Created Jan 11, 2011

Bangash attan | Dance Wiki

Bangash attan is a form of Attan performed by the Pashtun Bangash tribe.

Bangash attan, like other forms of attan, consists of very few moves and is thus pretty easy to learn. However it is hard to achieve perfection of the moves and to be able to keep up with the increasingly faster beat.

First, the music will start playing. If in a traditional setting, a music band with the ever important Dhol, will set up in the middle of the stage and start playing.
Dancers will gather in a circular line with a resonable distance between the dancers. If a music band is playing, it will usually be the centerpoint of the circle, with the dancers gathering around it.
- NOTE: The lead dancer, usually the best dancer in the group, will stand first in line. Do not stand in front unless you're the lead dancer! Instead, take a place behind the lead. The best dancers usually stand first in line, with the worst furthers back.
- You don't have to join the line at the back, it is perfectly possible to join in the middle. Just wait for people to make space. Likewise, one does not have to join at the start of the dance, but may jump in later.
Depending on the song, the moves will be done in different sequence. It is important to listen to the beat of the Dhol and look at the lead dancer to find out which move is to be performed. The typical sequence of moves is:
1. Forward step. This move is always the first to be performed. It is a "warm-up" move and may initially be repeated for minutes before going on to 2. . However, when the warm-up phase is finished, and one full sequence has finally been completed, the forward step is usually only performed three times in a row.
2. Full turn. This move is usually performed three times in a row,
3. Half turn. This move is usually performed once,.
4. Repeat sequence, starting from 1. again.
5. The above sequence is repeated numerous times, slowly going at a faster and faster pace. At some point the sequence will usually stop, and instead Half turns will be repeated exclusively until the end, as always going at a faster and faster pace. This is the last "sprint" and only usually only the best dancers are able to keep the pace.

Please note that one may leave at any point during the dance. As the beat and pace of the dance gets faster and faster, dancers will usually start to step away from the circle as each one realizes/admits he cannot keep the pace. This filtering process leaves only the best dancers still standing at the end.

Examples[]

This video shows the initial Forward steps, transitioning into Half turns and finally Full turns at the end (a somewhat different sequence than the one described above):

This video displays a sequence consisting exclusively of Half Turns:

Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.

Attan, the Afghan national dance

The national dance of Afghanistan - attan

Most people know the Afghan people as hereditary warriors, but in fact this people have many traditional folk and national dances. The most popular dance in the country, the attan literally speaks of the rich cultural traditions of music, dance, celebration and social events adopted in Afghanistan. Afghans have celebrated special days, such as weddings, with community dances for centuries. This beautiful outdoor dance is a symbol of life in Afghan society. nine0004

Attan, the national dance of Afghanistan

Historians believe that attan comes from the Greek Pyrrhic dance performed for the Greek goddess Athena. It was later adapted and remade into a Muslim warrior dance so that the dancers "get closer to God". And before starting any military campaign, Afghan warriors danced attan together.

The national dance of Afghanistan - attan

The attan, which is called the Afghan national dance, is a very ancient group dance performed throughout the country. It is said to have been one of the religious traditions of the pagans living in present-day Afghanistan. This dance later became part of the tradition of the Muslim tribes. nine0004

The national dance of Afghanistan - attan

The main musical instruments used during this traditional dance are the dhol (large double-sided drum), which has a deep and low sound, tabla, rubab (18 string instrument), surnay flute and tula (wooden flute). Musicians usually sit on horseback. The attan dance begins with the lead dancer attan beginning to sway strongly with his whole body, and a group of dancers repeat his movements. At the same time, usually all the dancers dress up in traditional, sequined Afghan or Pakistani clothes. nine0004

Attan, the national dance of Afghanistan

Attan has many forms that differ from region to region. For example, among the Pashtun nomads of both Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Kochai style is adopted. In the Afghan province of Logar, it is known as Logarai, in Paktia as Khostai, and in the province of Khost as Paktiwal. In Pakistan, attan is known as Khattak, and in Balochistan (a Pakistani province) as Quetta.

National dance of Afghanistan - attan

Afghans perform this dance to celebrate various special occasions such as weddings, national holidays, victories and other happy occasions. It is also customary to dance attan with friends. Attan is danced by both men and women, the main difference is that men perform attan at crowded gatherings, and women perform it at weddings and especially women's parties.

Folk dances

There is a huge number of folk dances, and today with the help of specialists you can learn their basics and subtleties, feeling like burning Lezgins, merging with the folk dance. Each nation considers its dance the most beautiful and spectacular, and under the guidance of good teachers and with due perseverance, anyone can learn the art of dance. nine0004

Attan

The Pashtun-Afghan dance, which is national in Afghanistan, originated as a male ritual dance. It is divided into combat and festive, performed at celebrations and gatherings.

Features:

round;
100-200 people can participate;
rhythmic movement with whirl and acceleration;
lasts 5-30 minutes, may include a main performer performing more complex movements. nine0056

Gopak

The name of the dance comes from the exclamation that is characteristic of its performance. Hopak is a traditional dance for Ukraine, it is performed in national costumes. Features of the dance: energetic movements that require a lot of strength, the basis is a squat dance.

Also, movements are diversified by high and wide jumps with a simultaneous swing of the legs, jogging. It is possible to use combat sabers, characteristic of the Cossacks from Ukraine. The dance originated as a military exercise, combining movements important in hand-to-hand combat. nine0004

Krakowiak

Also implying fast movement, is of Polish origin, has two knees and dances to lively music. Often the accent is placed on the eighth note of the measure, syncopated from the third. Initially appeared among the Krakowiaks, later spread.

Initially it was only for men, later it was danced by a couple (man and woman). The direction was relevant in the 19th century as a ballroom dance. Artistic processing helps to change the dance and put it under opera and ballet music. nine0004

Trepak

Trepak is an old Russian dance that appeared thanks to a simple bricklayer. He was warming up in a squat on a crowded street after hard work. Movements are also common in Ukraine, now the performance is relevant in two-part meter and at a fast pace.

Movement base:

stamping;
fractional steps;
throwing legs with a crouch;
Hands are held in the waist area.

Initially, the movements were composed during the dance, already in the 19th century trepak began to be danced on the ballet stage.

Zika

The dance is Chechen, it is widespread, but it is danced only by the male part of the population. Dance movements are often used to accompany religious events. Training in folk dances in St. Petersburg , including the Chechen direction, is also carried out in our club.

Khorovod

This is a mass dance that can be performed by people of any age. For the dance, melodious, slow melodies, lyrical motifs are used. The greatest role is given to the round dance, which was previously a godfather at christening, a matchmaker, and so on.

How to learn attan dance

How do people learn the Attan dance? How long does it take? : Pashtun

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Similar to this post

Bangash attan | Dance Wiki

Examples[]

Attan, the Afghan national dance

Folk dances

Learn more