Vibrant Rhythms, Diverse Cultures: Exploring The Distinctive Art Of Ethnic Dancing In Venezuela And Afghanistan

Afghanistan and Venezuela are both countries with diverse ethnic groups and rich cultural histories, which are reflected in their unique dance styles. Afghanistan's folk dances are influenced by its various ethnic groups, including the Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, and Uzbek peoples, while Venezuela's dances originated in the Caribbean and integrated African and European influences into indigenous culture. Both countries' dances showcase their respective histories and cultural identities, but they differ in terms of their specific ethnic influences and stylistic choices. For instance, Venezuelan salsa incorporates quick rhythmic bass changes, while Afghan folk dances are known for their beautiful costumes.

Costume

The costumes of Venezuela and Afghanistan differ greatly, owing to the different cultural and historical influences on each country.

Venezuela

Venezuelan costumes vary according to region, with nine political-administrative regions, each with its own typical costumes. The country's modern population is descended from three groups: Spanish, Amerindian, and African, with the majority being of mixed ethnic heritage.

Non-tribal/Non-indigenous Costumes

The non-tribal/non-indigenous traditional costume for Venezuelan women consists of a dress or a blouse and skirt combination, often with one or both shoulders left bare. The top typically features a large ruffle along the neckline, and the wide skirts are cut on the bias and may also be ruffled. The length varies from knee-length to long, and the fabric is often printed with colourful floral patterns. Women usually wear flowers in their hair.

The traditional costume for Venezuelan men is the liqui liqui, a suit consisting of a pair of trousers and a jacket with a high Nehru-style collar, fastened by a chain link (junta) and 5 to 6 buttons. The jacket may have pockets (no more than four). It is typically made of linen or cotton, although gabardine and wool can also be used. The liqui liqui is usually white, beige, cream, or ecru-coloured. It is also the national dress for men in Colombia. The outfit is completed with a llanero hat (similar to those worn by herdsmen) and open-toed sandals (alpargatas).

Indigenous Costumes

The various indigenous tribes of Venezuela each have their own traditional dress and hairstyles. One notable example is the guajira blanket, a wide and long gown made of very striking cotton fabrics with prints of warm colours. It is worn by the Wayuu ethnic group. The neck can be round or "V"-shaped, and it has a drawstring around the waist that makes the front look tight but leaves the back loose. The guajiro footwear is a type of sandal adorned with large balls of wool in vibrant colours. Their bags are woven with long handles so they can be hung transversely across the body. On their heads, they wear a ribbon, usually red, that covers the forehead and is tied at the back.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a collection of tribes within the same geographical area, and its ethnic arts are not homogeneous. The country's ethnic groups include Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Aimak, Turkmen, and Baloch. The folk costumes of Afghanistan vary according to ethnic and geographic divisions.

Pashtun Costumes

The Pashtuns in the south of Afghanistan are known for their wild and virile dances. The Pashtun attan, the national dance of Afghanistan, is traditionally performed during weddings or other celebrations, as well as in times of war to instil confidence in warriors. The dance can be performed by both men and women, although it was traditionally segregated. Men typically wear suits and ties, while women wear bright, colourful dresses adorned with tiny mirrors that symbolise light. Pashtun men also wear traditional turbans called Lungee or Patkya, which signify their tribes.

Uzbek Costumes

The Uzbeks of the north represent Turkic dance forms similar to those of other Turkic people.

Hazara Costumes

The beautiful dresses of the Hazara style inspire ethnic clothing costumers.

Kuchi Costumes

The Kuchi style is a favourite with American musicians playing ethnic music.

Contemporary Costumes

Contemporary Afghan men often wear a shirt similar to the Indian/Pakistani Shalwar Kameez and loose-fitting pants with a large gusset at the crotch. A typical Afghani coat is constructed in the 'Stan' style: rectangular front and back, trapezoid sleeves attached to trapezoid side pieces, and a collar.

Religious Influence

Venezuela's dances are a mix of indigenous, African, and European influences. The country's dominant religion is Roman Catholicism, introduced by Spanish colonisers. The country's dances, therefore, have been influenced by Catholic religious practices.

One example of a religious dance in Venezuela is the Baile de San Juan, also known as Tambor. This dance is of Afro-Venezuelan origin and is used as a rite of passage and energy dance to test compatibility.

Another example is the Dancing Devils of Yare, a dance with origins in Europe, specifically the dance of the Maypole. The dance is accompanied by a theatrical representation about the conquest and involves the cult of the Blessed Sacrament and the triumph of good over evil.

Las Turas is an Indian religious dance performed in the states of Lara and Falcón at the end of September by the ethnic groups ayamanes y jira jaras. It is celebrated to thank nature for the abundance of crops.

Afghanistan's dances are influenced by the country's Islamic religion. The Attan, the national dance of Afghanistan, is believed to have Zoroastrian roots, dating back nearly 3,000 years. It was performed during Zoroastrian religious ceremonies and is now performed during weddings or other celebrations.

The Natsa is a dance reserved for happy occasions and is often performed for the amusement of others. It involves artistic choreographies following the music of the rebab, drum, and possibly other instruments with movements of the head, waist, and legs, usually with bells worn on the feet.

The Ishala is similar to the Natsa but is a solo dance performed only by women at weddings and some other occasions. The dancer sits down when another woman enters the room so that she may also have an opportunity to dance.

The Sema dance, or Sufi Whirling, is a mystical Sufi Islamic dance. Dancers spin repetitively in prayer, chanting "Allah" and gaining speed, seeking to lose themselves in a spiritual trance that they believe unites them with God.

Gender Roles

Afghanistan is a multiethnic and mostly tribal society, with a variety of ethnic groups including Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Aimaq, Turkmen, Baloch, and others. The country's culture is not uniform, and there is a lot of overlap between the various ethnic groups. Afghanistan's folk dances are popular with Western ethnic dancers, perhaps due to the elaborate costumes. One of the most well-known dances is the Attan, the national dance of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan adheres to the underlying principles of gender that were made during pre-colonial times. There are rigid cultural norms and standards in place that dictate what is considered acceptable female behaviour. The family's social position and honour depend on the behaviour of its female members, and women are expected to be submissive and confined to their homes. They are also expected to fulfil certain roles, such as motherhood and nurturing. Women's work varies depending on the group, but generally, they are responsible for domestic tasks and producing milk products. In some groups, such as the Nuristani, women plow the fields while men herd the flocks.

Despite these restrictions, some women have managed to break free from these norms. For example, Fahima Mirzaie, a 24-year-old economist, founded a dance group that performs the Sufi Islamic dance known as Sema. The group consists of both women and men, and they perform in public, challenging the expectations about gender in Afghanistan. Most of the members of the dance group are Shiite Muslims, a minority in Afghanistan that has been targeted by the Islamic State group.

Another practice in Afghanistan is the longstanding tradition of switching gender roles for boys and girls, known as "bacha posh" for girls and "bacha bazi" for boys. Bacha posh involves dressing girls as boys, which allows them more freedom and access to better education. Bacha bazi, on the other hand, involves dressing young boys as women and forcing them to perform for audiences of men, and is considered sexual exploitation and slavery.

Venezuela, on the other hand, has a more diverse range of ethnic groups, with influences from indigenous, African, and European cultures. The country's national dance is Joropo, which blends indigenous, African, and Spanish influences. It is meant to display the divine masculine and feminine in harmony. Other popular dances include Venezuelan salsa, merengue, and Baile de San Juan.

There is limited information on the gender roles within Venezuelan dance specifically, but it can be assumed that they reflect the broader Venezuelan culture, which has a more fluid approach to gender roles.

Historical Context

Venezuela and Afghanistan are countries with distinct historical backgrounds, which is reflected in their ethnic dances. Venezuela's dances originated in the Caribbean and integrated African and European influences into indigenous culture. On the other hand, Afghanistan, a country with a long history of colonialism, revolution, and Islamization, has diverse ethnic groups, each contributing to its varied dance forms.

Venezuela's national dance, Joropo, blends indigenous, African, and Spanish influences. It arrived in Caracas in the 17th century as Fandango, performed at parties of the elite. Over time, Venezuelan farmers adapted it to their culture, adding instruments like maracas and renaming it Joropo. This dance showcases the harmony of the divine masculine and feminine when performed correctly.

Venezuelan salsa, born in the barrios of Caracas, stands out from other forms with its quick rhythmic bass changes and couples dancing cheek to cheek. Other popular dances include the Baile de San Juan, an Afro-Venezuelan dance used as a rite of passage, and the Merengue, which originated in the Dominican Republic but is embraced by Venezuelans as their own.

Afghanistan, a multiethnic and mostly tribal society, has a rich history that has influenced its dance forms. The Pashtun, the largest ethnic group, are known for their vibrant Attan dance, which has Zoroastrian roots and is believed to date back 3,000 years. It was performed by soldiers before battles to instill confidence and has become the national dance of Afghanistan. The dance involves intense physical movements in a circle, with clapping and spinning, and can last for hours.

Afghanistan also has a history of the "dancing boys" tradition, known as "bacha bazi," where boys are "owned" for dancing and sexual exploitation. This practice, though banned by the Taliban during their rule, has resurfaced and remains a taboo topic in the conservative country.

In addition to Attan, Afghanistan has other ethnic dances like the Khattak sword dance of the Pashtuns and various folk dances reflecting the different tribes and regions within the country. The country's folk dances are popular with Western ethnic dancers, especially for their beautiful costumes.

Geography

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia, with Iran to the west and Pakistan to the east. It is a mountainous country, with the Hindu Kush mountain range running through it from the northeast to the southwest. The country is divided into three distinct geographic regions by this mountain range: the Central Highlands, the Northern Plains, and the Southwestern Plateau. The Central Highlands contain deep, narrow valleys and high mountains, historically important for defence. The Northern Plains are a part of the Central Asian Steppe and are intensively cultivated and densely populated. The Southwestern Plateau is a region of high plateaus and sandy deserts, with several large rivers, including the Helmand, crossing it.

Venezuela is a country in South America, located at the northern end of the continent. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean to the north, Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west. Venezuela comprises a continental landmass and many islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. The country is described in terms of four regions: the Maracaibo lowlands in the northwest, the northern mountains extending in an arc along the Caribbean Sea, the Orinoco plains (llanos) in the centre, and the Guiana Highlands in the southeast. The Orinoco plains are a great expanse of lowlands that extend westward from the Caribbean coast to the Colombian border. The Guiana Highlands, which cover over half of the country, consist of plateau areas scored by swiftly running tributaries of the Orinoco.

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