Traditional Mongolian Dances
By Yang Feng
Epoch Times
Dec 15, 2005
Mongolian dance reflects upon the nomadic lifestyle of its people; who live among vast expanses of prairie, blue skies and white clouds. To get a better idea of the scenery, imagine flocks of sheep leisurely foraging through the soft green grass scattered with wild flowers as the wind carries the crisp air.
Mongolian women’s dance is characterized by joyous rhythms, agile dance steps and boundless enthusiasm. The men dance tall and straight with nimble steps, portraying powerful agility and fierce bravery. Famous traditional dances include the An Daiwu, the chopstick dance, and the balancing cups dance.
In 2004, 16 students from the National Taiwan University of the Arts performed a traditional Mongolian dance. It portrayed a group of beautiful Mongolian girls welcoming guests from far away with cups full of good wine balanced on their heads.
In the performance, the dancers balance cups on top of their heads and hold a pair of wine cups in their hands. Each dancer’s posture is exquisite and manifests the richly colorful and enthusiastic personality of Mongolian girls.
In 2005, the group presented another Mongolian folk dance, the joyful banquet dance, using chopsticks strung together to create crisp, rhythmic sounds. Their mood is welcoming and their choreography is picturesque.
These two dances performed in the 2004 and 2005 NTDTV Chinese New Year Global Galas received high praise from the audience. The group has been invited to perform in the 2006 NTDTV Chinese New Year Global Gala.