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Which dance traditions have been identified as American folk dances?
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Western dance
Egyptian dancing, detail from a tomb painting from Shaykh ʿAbd al-Qurnah, Egypt, c. 1400 bce; in the British Museum, London.
Several dance traditions have been identified as American folk dances. While the square dance is widely recognized as the most popular form, other traditions include:
- Appalachian clogging1
- Cajun dancing1
- Country dancing, which encompasses contra dance (or longways dance)21
- Line dancing1
Additionally, some commentators include various cultural and regional practices within the American folk dance category, such as:
- Native American powwow dancing1
- African American traditions, including "Patting Juba," the "Ring Shout," and various forms of step dancing1
- Dances performed by Mardi Gras groups in Louisiana1
- The diverse, domesticated dances preserved by various immigrant groups across the United States1
These traditions represent a vital way for communities to preserve their ethnic legacies and cultural heritage.1