Dirk dance
Encyclopedia
A dirk dance is a Scottish
dance
performed while brandishing a dirk
. It is a solo dance
but can be performed by two or more people dancing in unison. The dance is quite different in style from the better known Highland dances
and in many ways imitates the use of a dirk in fighting. Research suggests that the dance may, in fact, have originated as a series of moves for training in the use of the dirk.
The dance was recorded by J. F. and T. M. Flett in their book, Traditional Step-Dancing in Scotland, after they learned it from Mary Isdale Mac Nab of Vancouver
. She in turn had learned the dance in the 1900s from Scottish piping and dance champion, D.C. Mather. Another dirk dance, now lost, involved two dancers. In this dance, one is "killed" with the dirk, but then resurrected by his/her sorrowful partner. A dirk dance from the Isle of Man
was also recovered by Manx folk researcher, Mona Douglas. In this version, the dancer wields a dagger
.
Highland dance was also performed with other weapons including the Lochaber axe
, the broadsword
, flail
, and paired targe
and dirk. The Highland Dirk Dance resembles a combative dance similar to those of Indonesian Pentjak Silat
, which has the performer executing knife techniques combined with wrestling
style kicks, trips and sweeps. One version of the dance involved attacking and defensive techniques with single-sticks
and targe shields and was last performed in Britain in 1850 by two brothers named MacLennan, one of which was a colleague of Mr Mather.
Scottish people
The Scottish people , or Scots, are a nation and ethnic group native to Scotland. Historically they emerged from an amalgamation of the Picts and Gaels, incorporating neighbouring Britons to the south as well as invading Germanic peoples such as the Anglo-Saxons and the Norse.In modern use,...
dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
performed while brandishing a dirk
Dirk
A dirk is a short thrusting dagger, sometimes a cut-down sword blade mounted on a dagger hilt rather than a knife blade. It was historically used as a personal weapon for officers engaged in naval hand-to-hand combat during the Age of Sail.-Etymology:...
. It is a solo dance
Solo (dance)
A solo dance is danced by an individual dancing alone, as opposed to couples dancing together but independently of others dancing at the same time, if any, and as opposed to groups of people dancing simultaneously in a coordinated manner. Solo dancers are usually the best dancers in a group or...
but can be performed by two or more people dancing in unison. The dance is quite different in style from the better known Highland dances
Scottish highland dance
The term Highland dance or Highland dancing is used today to refer to a style of athletic solo dancing which developed in the Gaelic Highlands of Scotland...
and in many ways imitates the use of a dirk in fighting. Research suggests that the dance may, in fact, have originated as a series of moves for training in the use of the dirk.
The dance was recorded by J. F. and T. M. Flett in their book, Traditional Step-Dancing in Scotland, after they learned it from Mary Isdale Mac Nab of Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
. She in turn had learned the dance in the 1900s from Scottish piping and dance champion, D.C. Mather. Another dirk dance, now lost, involved two dancers. In this dance, one is "killed" with the dirk, but then resurrected by his/her sorrowful partner. A dirk dance from the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
was also recovered by Manx folk researcher, Mona Douglas. In this version, the dancer wields a dagger
Dagger
A dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
.
Highland dance was also performed with other weapons including the Lochaber axe
Lochaber axe
The Lochaber axe was a halberd that came into use in Scotland around 1300. The name of the weapon derives from Lochaber, an area in the western Scottish Highlands, as the weapon was employed principally by the Scottish highlanders, who required armament against cavalry.The axe itself is similar to...
, the broadsword
Broadsword
Broadsword may refer to:*Broadsword , a military sword used by heavy cavalry during the 17th to early 19th centuriesIn more modern times, it has also been used to refer to:...
, flail
Flail (weapon)
The flail is a hand weapon derived from the agricultural tool.The handle is attached to the striking part of a weapon by a flexible chain or cord...
, and paired targe
Targe
Targe was a general word for shield in late Old English. Its diminutive, target, came to mean an object to be aimed at in the 18th century....
and dirk. The Highland Dirk Dance resembles a combative dance similar to those of Indonesian Pentjak Silat
Silat
Silat Melayu is a blanket term for the types of silat created in peninsular Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei and Singapore. The silat tradition has deep roots in Malay culture and can trace its origin to the dawn of Malay civilization, 2000 years ago...
, which has the performer executing knife techniques combined with wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
style kicks, trips and sweeps. One version of the dance involved attacking and defensive techniques with single-sticks
Singlestick
Singlestick, also known as cudgels, refers to both a martial art that uses a wooden stick as well as the weapon used in the art. It began as a way of training soldiers in the use of swords such as the sabre...
and targe shields and was last performed in Britain in 1850 by two brothers named MacLennan, one of which was a colleague of Mr Mather.
See also
- Four Scottish Dances
- Scottish country danceScottish country danceA Scottish country dance is a form of social dance involving groups of mixed couples of dancers tracing progressive patterns according to a predetermined choreography...
- Sword danceSword danceSword dances are recorded from throughout world history. There are various traditions of solo and mock battle sword dances from Greece, the Middle East, Pakistan, India, China, Korea, England, Scotland and Japan...
- Scottish Martial ArtsScottish martial artsThere is some evidence on historical fencing as practiced in Scotland in the Early Modern Era, especially fencing with the Scottish basket-hilted broadsword during the 17th to 18th centuries....