Mountain Dances
As a goal for the school year 2014-2015, Dance Troupe has expanded its repertoire to now include the Mountain dances of the Philippines.
Idaw
Idaw is one of two projects this year (2014-2015).
This dance sometimes has many names and different versions. Most commonly this dance depicts the hunting ritual performed before a tribal war. The tribes men would go out and look up and watch for the scared Idaw bird, which is said to lead the tribe to victory. Also look at the clothing, Philippines being a very hot climate, plus the use of as little material as possible, the traditional clothing was not made to cover much of the body.
Banga
Banga is the first project of this year (2014-2015).
"Banga" literally mean pots. The Banga or pot dance is a contemporary performance of Kalinga of the Mountain Province in the Philippines. This dance illustrate the languid grace of a tribe otherwise known as fierce warriors. Heavy earthen pots, as many as seven or eight at a time, are balanced on the heads of maidens as they trudge to the beat of the "gangsa" or wind chimes displaying their stamina and strength as they go about their daily task of fetching water and balancing the banga.