Polynesian Fire Dancer
by Penny Meyers
Title
Polynesian Fire Dancer
Artist
Penny Meyers
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
Fire dancing using different techniques is a part of the historic culture of some areas of the world. The oldest practice of fire dancing is Samoa known as Siva Afi and Fire Knife. The fire knife dance has its roots in the ancient Samoan exhibition called "ailao" - the flashy demonstration of a Samoan warrior's battle prowess through artful twirling, throwing and catching, and dancing with a war club while on fire. The 'ailao could be performed with any warclub and some colonial accounts confirm that women also performed 'ailao at the head of ceremonial processions, especially daughters of high chiefs. During night dances torches were often twirled and swung about by dancers, although a warclub was the usual implement used for 'ailao. Ancient Aztecs performed a fire dance dedicated to Xiuhtecuhtli, the god of fire.[1] The Aztec fire dance is performed today for tourists in Mexico. In Bali, the Angel Dance and the Fire Dance, regularly performed for tourists, have origins in ancient rituals. Both the Angel Dance and the Fire Dance originated in a trance ritual called the sanghyang, a ritual dance "performed to ward off witches at the time of an epidemic."[2] Also known as the "horse dance" men perform the dance by holding rods representing horses, while leaping around burning coconut husks, and walking through the flames. French Polynesia, Antigua, Cuba and Saint Lucia are other locations where fire dances are recreated for tourists. The Siddha Jats of the Thar Desert in India perform traditional fire dances as part of the Spring festival. Fire dancing is performed to music played on drums and the behr. There are variations of the fire dancing; men often perform a dance that involves walking on hot coals,[citation needed] while women perform a dance while balancing flaming tin pots on their heads. Today this ritual is often performed for tourists.
Uploaded
April 12th, 2013
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Comments (7)
Paul Freidlund
I'm thinking you got tired of this lovely long Minnesota winter, and went to warmer climate. I like the shot you executed it perfect with the low light situation, great composition and description v/f
Penny Meyers replied:
Oh how correct you are, Paul! We joked that we didn't realize our early April vacation would turn out to be a mid-winter getaway. Thanks so much for your comment and v/f!
Deb Halloran
Penny, WOW what an amazing capture. This would have been fun to see, I bet it was amazing. Wonderful composition with excellent lighting, love it! v/f
Penny Meyers replied:
Deb, I always appreciate your opinion, thank you so much for your wonderful comments and promotion! It really was a terrific show, wish you could have seen it!
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