Let’s get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The original United States: a divided up territory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The expression “13 colonies” and “United States of America” refer to the East Coast of North America as a monolithic entity, a united group. But, as soon as you take a look at the sources, a different reality arises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is no need to stury each colony individually here. But I would like to give a bit of context, useful for the understanding. Historians usually divide the colonies in three groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Colonies of the South (Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"13](\"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Sud.jpg\")
The “southern” colonies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe history of the South begins in 1607. A royal charter allows some English noblement to establish a colony. This is Jamestown, in what will become Virginia. Later, other royal charters will allow the extension of the colonies to the South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
English nobility made up the bulk of the population in the southern colonies. The aristocracy controlled the judicial and executive branches of government, as it did in metropolitan Britain. There were also small groups of Scots, Irish and Germans. African slaves completed the picture. Officially, the southern colonies were Anglican, and fairly moderate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The economy was based on agriculture (rice, indigo, tobacco, etc.). Small farms, cultivated by their owners, coexisted with large estates, which exploited the land and slaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New England (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"13](\"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/NewEngland.jpg\")
Northern colonies or New England<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNew England was born in 1620. You probably know the story of the Mayflower<\/em>. This ship left Plymouth, in England, to go establish Plymouth, in Massachusetts. That’s quite a long drive just to stay in Plymouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn the Northern colonies, the population is mainly puritan. Puritanism incites individuals to read the sacred texts directly, without intermediary. To do so, one must be able to read. The Puritans put their words into action by founding the first school system in North America. They also established Harvard University in 1636.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By reading the Scriptures, anyone can make up their own ideas… that do not always align with the ideas of the majority. That’s why some settlers, looking for more religious strictness, go up North to create Connecticut. Other, wishing more freedom, create Rhode Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strict or permissive, the colonies of New England have the same type of economy. It relays mostly on the exploitation of the forest: hunting, fur, timber. The last one comes along at just the right time, because (old) England was subjected to a shortage of timber at the same moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Timber is a vital resource for England, which intends to maintain the supremacy of its navy. Several shipyards are established in New England, creating a highly dynamic pre-industrial sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Middle” colonies (New York, Pennsylvanie, New Jersey, Delaware)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"13](\"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Milieu.jpg\")
“Middle” colonies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBetween New England and the Southern colonies, lies a region with a turbulent history. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it became the scene of fierce colonial competition. The United Provinces, Sweden, France and England fought over the region. Initially, the United Provinces gained the upper hand and founded New Netherland<\/em>. But in 1664, the English took control of the territory. They renamed it New York and New Jersey.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRegardless of the colour of the flag flying over the governor’s house, the colonists who were already there remained. They formed a multicultural population: Dutch, \u201cBelgians\u201d, French Huguenots, Scandinavians, Germans\u2026 and, of course, colonists from the British Isles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s underline the religious freedom, granted by the law, in the middle colonies. This tolerance is very unusual in the other colonies, North and South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Middle colonies, economy sits midway between North and South. The agricultural production is large (mostly wheat), as well as the timber production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 13 colonies have in common their geography, and their allegiance (still for a little) to the British Crown. For the rest, they are very different from one another. And that is also sensible on the level of dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What did they dance? The dance repertoire in the 13 colonies<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDances of the First Nations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Let’s start with the dances danced by the larger number, in North America during the 18th century: dances of the First nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did not kept any source created by the First Nations about dancing. Also, each nation has its own traditions. For example, here is a depiction of the Natchez dances, in nowadays Louisiana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\nA la grande clart\u00e9 [des torches] (\u2026), on danse ordinairement jusqu\u2019au jour. Les danses sont toujours les m\u00eames, et qui en a vu une les a vu toutes. Voici quelle en est la disposition. Au milieu de l\u2019espace vuide (…), un homme s\u2019assied par terre (\u2026). Il tient ce pot d\u2019une main, et de l\u2019autre il bat la mesure. Autour de lui les femmes se rangent en cercle, \u00e9loign\u00e9es les unes des autres, et ayant leurs mains dans un rond de plumes fort \u00e9troit qu\u2019elles tournent en dansant de gauche \u00e0 droite. Les hommes enferment les femmes dans un autre cercle qu\u2019ils forment \u00e0 quelque distance d\u2019elles, ils ne se tiennent point par la main mais ils laissent entre eux un espace quelquefois de six pieds. (\u2026). Comme les femmes tournent de gauche \u00e0 droite, les hommes tournent de droite \u00e0 gauche, et tous suivent la mesure avec une justesse qui a de quoi surprendre. Les intervalles que les uns et les autres laissent entr\u2019eux leur donne (sic) la commodit\u00e9 de sortir de la danse lorsqu\u2019ils sont fatigu\u00e9s et d\u2019y rentrer sans y causer aucun trouble: les cercles se r\u00e9tr\u00e9cissent et s\u2019\u00e9largissent selon le besoin, toujours en gardant la mesure, et les danseurs pouvant se reposer et \u00eatre remplac\u00e9s par d\u2019autres (\u2026) leurs danses durent ordinairement toute la nuit.<\/p>\nAntoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz, M\u00e9moire sur la Louisiane (1751-1753), 3 vol., 1758, vol 1, p. 376-377.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nIn the bright light of the torches, people usually dance until dawn. The dances are always the same, and once you have seen one, you have seen them all. Here is how it works. In the middle of the empty space (\u2026), a man sits on the ground (\u2026). He holds this pot in one hand and beats time with the other. Around him, the women form a circle, standing apart from each other, with their hands in a tight circle of feathers that they turn as they dance from left to right. The men enclose the women in another circle that they form at some distance from them. They do not hold hands but leave a space of sometimes six feet between them. (\u2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the women turn from left to right, the men turn from right to left, and all follow the beat with surprising accuracy. The intervals they leave between themselves allow them to leave the dance when they are tired and rejoin it without causing any disturbance: the circles shrink and expand as needed, always keeping time, and the dancers can rest and be replaced by others (\u2026) their dances usually last all night.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n![\"Historical](\"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Antoine-Simon-Le-Page-du-Pratz-Memoire-sur-la-Louisiane-1751-1753-3-vol.-1758.png\")
Antoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz, M\u00e9moire sur la Louisiane<\/em> (1751-1753), 3 vol., 1758, vol 1, p. 376-377.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat the colonists saw of the First Nations’ dances must have seem odd and inappropriate, so there was no dance exchange between those groups of population. Let’s add that the exchanges between the colonists and the First Nations was limited to trade, diplomacy and armed fight. Not ideal bases for a choreographic encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dances of the slaves and black communities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Slaves abducted from Africa brought with them their own singing and dancing traditions. They kept that culture alive in America. In the South, Black and White folks are strictly separated. But we have an example of exchange between both communities in New Amsterdam. Which is New York, before the English took over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We know that during the religious celebrations in New Amsterdam, Dutch and Black families dances together in the streets. Three-stringed violins and drums made from eel pots covered with sheepskin provided the musical entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Agostino](\"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AgostinoBrunias-DancingSceneInTheWestIndies-1024x576.jpg\")
Agostino Brunias, Dancing scene in the West Indias<\/em>, c.1764-1796.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThat tradition, well settled, horrified the English when they took over the Dutch colony. They then discouraged any form of interracial dancing. The Black community developped, in parallel with the one of the colonists, their own dancing style. That style was going to greatly influence the Western ballroom dancing at the end of the 19th century. But we aren’t there yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now, without further ado, here are the dances of the European colonists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minuet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Aristocratic balls usually began with a minuet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis formal and complex couple dance originated at the court of the Sun King. It perfectly expresses the spirit of the nobility. Only one couple dances at a time, under the watchful gaze (and comments) of the assembly. The couples perform in order of precedence, from the highest social rank to the lowest. Everyone therefore knows exactly where they stand on the social ladder and in relation to the other dancers.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Antoni](\"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/AntoniCasanovasTorrents-c1780-1024x576.jpg\")
Antoni Casanovas Torrents, Minuet<\/em>, circa 1780.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Allemande<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Allemande <\/a>is also a couple dance. Much simpler in its steps, it involves different arm “passes”, a bit as in the rock’n roll. Originally from Germany, it was Paris that gave her her letters of nobility. That is why her name remains \u2018Allemande\u2019, even in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Allemande](\"https:\/\/www.histoiredebal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Allemande1.png\")
8e passe d\u2019Allemande, de Dubois, in A. Riou, Y. Vart et al., Principes d\u2019Allemande de Mr Dubois (\u2026),<\/em> Lyon, 1991.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIn America, the allemande is sometimes used to open the ball, in place of the minuet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The French country dance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The last fashionable dance from Paris arrived in the 13 colonies in the 1770’s: the French country dance or cotillion<\/a>. Four couples places in a square perform quite complex patterns on the ground. The structure of the dance alternated chorus and verses. A chorus is linked to a specific country dance, while the verses are the same in all the country dances. Those verses, called “changes”, are usually between 5 and 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe country or contra dance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The country dance, or longways, comes from England. It welcomes any number of couples. The dance is based upon the progression: the couples move up or down in the column. At the end of the 18th century, the longways are mostly in triple minor set<\/a><\/em>: three couples interacts together.<\/p>\n\n\n
The history of the South begins in 1607. A royal charter allows some English noblement to establish a colony. This is Jamestown, in what will become Virginia. Later, other royal charters will allow the extension of the colonies to the South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
English nobility made up the bulk of the population in the southern colonies. The aristocracy controlled the judicial and executive branches of government, as it did in metropolitan Britain. There were also small groups of Scots, Irish and Germans. African slaves completed the picture. Officially, the southern colonies were Anglican, and fairly moderate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The economy was based on agriculture (rice, indigo, tobacco, etc.). Small farms, cultivated by their owners, coexisted with large estates, which exploited the land and slaves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New England (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island)<\/h3>\n\n\n\nNorthern colonies or New England<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nNew England was born in 1620. You probably know the story of the Mayflower<\/em>. This ship left Plymouth, in England, to go establish Plymouth, in Massachusetts. That’s quite a long drive just to stay in Plymouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn the Northern colonies, the population is mainly puritan. Puritanism incites individuals to read the sacred texts directly, without intermediary. To do so, one must be able to read. The Puritans put their words into action by founding the first school system in North America. They also established Harvard University in 1636.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By reading the Scriptures, anyone can make up their own ideas… that do not always align with the ideas of the majority. That’s why some settlers, looking for more religious strictness, go up North to create Connecticut. Other, wishing more freedom, create Rhode Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Strict or permissive, the colonies of New England have the same type of economy. It relays mostly on the exploitation of the forest: hunting, fur, timber. The last one comes along at just the right time, because (old) England was subjected to a shortage of timber at the same moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Timber is a vital resource for England, which intends to maintain the supremacy of its navy. Several shipyards are established in New England, creating a highly dynamic pre-industrial sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Middle” colonies (New York, Pennsylvanie, New Jersey, Delaware)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n“Middle” colonies<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nBetween New England and the Southern colonies, lies a region with a turbulent history. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it became the scene of fierce colonial competition. The United Provinces, Sweden, France and England fought over the region. Initially, the United Provinces gained the upper hand and founded New Netherland<\/em>. But in 1664, the English took control of the territory. They renamed it New York and New Jersey.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRegardless of the colour of the flag flying over the governor’s house, the colonists who were already there remained. They formed a multicultural population: Dutch, \u201cBelgians\u201d, French Huguenots, Scandinavians, Germans\u2026 and, of course, colonists from the British Isles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let’s underline the religious freedom, granted by the law, in the middle colonies. This tolerance is very unusual in the other colonies, North and South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Middle colonies, economy sits midway between North and South. The agricultural production is large (mostly wheat), as well as the timber production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 13 colonies have in common their geography, and their allegiance (still for a little) to the British Crown. For the rest, they are very different from one another. And that is also sensible on the level of dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What did they dance? The dance repertoire in the 13 colonies<\/h2>\n\n\n\nDances of the First Nations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Let’s start with the dances danced by the larger number, in North America during the 18th century: dances of the First nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We did not kept any source created by the First Nations about dancing. Also, each nation has its own traditions. For example, here is a depiction of the Natchez dances, in nowadays Louisiana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\nA la grande clart\u00e9 [des torches] (\u2026), on danse ordinairement jusqu\u2019au jour. Les danses sont toujours les m\u00eames, et qui en a vu une les a vu toutes. Voici quelle en est la disposition. Au milieu de l\u2019espace vuide (…), un homme s\u2019assied par terre (\u2026). Il tient ce pot d\u2019une main, et de l\u2019autre il bat la mesure. Autour de lui les femmes se rangent en cercle, \u00e9loign\u00e9es les unes des autres, et ayant leurs mains dans un rond de plumes fort \u00e9troit qu\u2019elles tournent en dansant de gauche \u00e0 droite. Les hommes enferment les femmes dans un autre cercle qu\u2019ils forment \u00e0 quelque distance d\u2019elles, ils ne se tiennent point par la main mais ils laissent entre eux un espace quelquefois de six pieds. (\u2026). Comme les femmes tournent de gauche \u00e0 droite, les hommes tournent de droite \u00e0 gauche, et tous suivent la mesure avec une justesse qui a de quoi surprendre. Les intervalles que les uns et les autres laissent entr\u2019eux leur donne (sic) la commodit\u00e9 de sortir de la danse lorsqu\u2019ils sont fatigu\u00e9s et d\u2019y rentrer sans y causer aucun trouble: les cercles se r\u00e9tr\u00e9cissent et s\u2019\u00e9largissent selon le besoin, toujours en gardant la mesure, et les danseurs pouvant se reposer et \u00eatre remplac\u00e9s par d\u2019autres (\u2026) leurs danses durent ordinairement toute la nuit.<\/p>\nAntoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz, M\u00e9moire sur la Louisiane (1751-1753), 3 vol., 1758, vol 1, p. 376-377.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nIn the bright light of the torches, people usually dance until dawn. The dances are always the same, and once you have seen one, you have seen them all. Here is how it works. In the middle of the empty space (\u2026), a man sits on the ground (\u2026). He holds this pot in one hand and beats time with the other. Around him, the women form a circle, standing apart from each other, with their hands in a tight circle of feathers that they turn as they dance from left to right. The men enclose the women in another circle that they form at some distance from them. They do not hold hands but leave a space of sometimes six feet between them. (\u2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the women turn from left to right, the men turn from right to left, and all follow the beat with surprising accuracy. The intervals they leave between themselves allow them to leave the dance when they are tired and rejoin it without causing any disturbance: the circles shrink and expand as needed, always keeping time, and the dancers can rest and be replaced by others (\u2026) their dances usually last all night.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\nAntoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz, M\u00e9moire sur la Louisiane<\/em> (1751-1753), 3 vol., 1758, vol 1, p. 376-377.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhat the colonists saw of the First Nations’ dances must have seem odd and inappropriate, so there was no dance exchange between those groups of population. Let’s add that the exchanges between the colonists and the First Nations was limited to trade, diplomacy and armed fight. Not ideal bases for a choreographic encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dances of the slaves and black communities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Slaves abducted from Africa brought with them their own singing and dancing traditions. They kept that culture alive in America. In the South, Black and White folks are strictly separated. But we have an example of exchange between both communities in New Amsterdam. Which is New York, before the English took over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We know that during the religious celebrations in New Amsterdam, Dutch and Black families dances together in the streets. Three-stringed violins and drums made from eel pots covered with sheepskin provided the musical entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nAgostino Brunias, Dancing scene in the West Indias<\/em>, c.1764-1796.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThat tradition, well settled, horrified the English when they took over the Dutch colony. They then discouraged any form of interracial dancing. The Black community developped, in parallel with the one of the colonists, their own dancing style. That style was going to greatly influence the Western ballroom dancing at the end of the 19th century. But we aren’t there yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And now, without further ado, here are the dances of the European colonists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Minuet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Aristocratic balls usually began with a minuet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThis formal and complex couple dance originated at the court of the Sun King. It perfectly expresses the spirit of the nobility. Only one couple dances at a time, under the watchful gaze (and comments) of the assembly. The couples perform in order of precedence, from the highest social rank to the lowest. Everyone therefore knows exactly where they stand on the social ladder and in relation to the other dancers.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nAntoni Casanovas Torrents, Minuet<\/em>, circa 1780.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe Allemande<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Allemande <\/a>is also a couple dance. Much simpler in its steps, it involves different arm “passes”, a bit as in the rock’n roll. Originally from Germany, it was Paris that gave her her letters of nobility. That is why her name remains \u2018Allemande\u2019, even in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n8e passe d\u2019Allemande, de Dubois, in A. Riou, Y. Vart et al., Principes d\u2019Allemande de Mr Dubois (\u2026),<\/em> Lyon, 1991.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nIn America, the allemande is sometimes used to open the ball, in place of the minuet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The French country dance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The last fashionable dance from Paris arrived in the 13 colonies in the 1770’s: the French country dance or cotillion<\/a>. Four couples places in a square perform quite complex patterns on the ground. The structure of the dance alternated chorus and verses. A chorus is linked to a specific country dance, while the verses are the same in all the country dances. Those verses, called “changes”, are usually between 5 and 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe country or contra dance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The country dance, or longways, comes from England. It welcomes any number of couples. The dance is based upon the progression: the couples move up or down in the column. At the end of the 18th century, the longways are mostly in triple minor set<\/a><\/em>: three couples interacts together.<\/p>\n\n\n
New England was born in 1620. You probably know the story of the Mayflower<\/em>. This ship left Plymouth, in England, to go establish Plymouth, in Massachusetts. That’s quite a long drive just to stay in Plymouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Northern colonies, the population is mainly puritan. Puritanism incites individuals to read the sacred texts directly, without intermediary. To do so, one must be able to read. The Puritans put their words into action by founding the first school system in North America. They also established Harvard University in 1636.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By reading the Scriptures, anyone can make up their own ideas… that do not always align with the ideas of the majority. That’s why some settlers, looking for more religious strictness, go up North to create Connecticut. Other, wishing more freedom, create Rhode Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strict or permissive, the colonies of New England have the same type of economy. It relays mostly on the exploitation of the forest: hunting, fur, timber. The last one comes along at just the right time, because (old) England was subjected to a shortage of timber at the same moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Timber is a vital resource for England, which intends to maintain the supremacy of its navy. Several shipyards are established in New England, creating a highly dynamic pre-industrial sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Between New England and the Southern colonies, lies a region with a turbulent history. In the 16th and 17th centuries, it became the scene of fierce colonial competition. The United Provinces, Sweden, France and England fought over the region. Initially, the United Provinces gained the upper hand and founded New Netherland<\/em>. But in 1664, the English took control of the territory. They renamed it New York and New Jersey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Regardless of the colour of the flag flying over the governor’s house, the colonists who were already there remained. They formed a multicultural population: Dutch, \u201cBelgians\u201d, French Huguenots, Scandinavians, Germans\u2026 and, of course, colonists from the British Isles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s underline the religious freedom, granted by the law, in the middle colonies. This tolerance is very unusual in the other colonies, North and South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the Middle colonies, economy sits midway between North and South. The agricultural production is large (mostly wheat), as well as the timber production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The 13 colonies have in common their geography, and their allegiance (still for a little) to the British Crown. For the rest, they are very different from one another. And that is also sensible on the level of dancing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s start with the dances danced by the larger number, in North America during the 18th century: dances of the First nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We did not kept any source created by the First Nations about dancing. Also, each nation has its own traditions. For example, here is a depiction of the Natchez dances, in nowadays Louisiana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A la grande clart\u00e9 [des torches] (\u2026), on danse ordinairement jusqu\u2019au jour. Les danses sont toujours les m\u00eames, et qui en a vu une les a vu toutes. Voici quelle en est la disposition. Au milieu de l\u2019espace vuide (…), un homme s\u2019assied par terre (\u2026). Il tient ce pot d\u2019une main, et de l\u2019autre il bat la mesure. Autour de lui les femmes se rangent en cercle, \u00e9loign\u00e9es les unes des autres, et ayant leurs mains dans un rond de plumes fort \u00e9troit qu\u2019elles tournent en dansant de gauche \u00e0 droite. Les hommes enferment les femmes dans un autre cercle qu\u2019ils forment \u00e0 quelque distance d\u2019elles, ils ne se tiennent point par la main mais ils laissent entre eux un espace quelquefois de six pieds. (\u2026). Comme les femmes tournent de gauche \u00e0 droite, les hommes tournent de droite \u00e0 gauche, et tous suivent la mesure avec une justesse qui a de quoi surprendre. Les intervalles que les uns et les autres laissent entr\u2019eux leur donne (sic) la commodit\u00e9 de sortir de la danse lorsqu\u2019ils sont fatigu\u00e9s et d\u2019y rentrer sans y causer aucun trouble: les cercles se r\u00e9tr\u00e9cissent et s\u2019\u00e9largissent selon le besoin, toujours en gardant la mesure, et les danseurs pouvant se reposer et \u00eatre remplac\u00e9s par d\u2019autres (\u2026) leurs danses durent ordinairement toute la nuit.<\/p>\nAntoine-Simon Le Page du Pratz, M\u00e9moire sur la Louisiane (1751-1753), 3 vol., 1758, vol 1, p. 376-377.<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n In the bright light of the torches, people usually dance until dawn. The dances are always the same, and once you have seen one, you have seen them all. Here is how it works. In the middle of the empty space (\u2026), a man sits on the ground (\u2026). He holds this pot in one hand and beats time with the other. Around him, the women form a circle, standing apart from each other, with their hands in a tight circle of feathers that they turn as they dance from left to right. The men enclose the women in another circle that they form at some distance from them. They do not hold hands but leave a space of sometimes six feet between them. (\u2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the women turn from left to right, the men turn from right to left, and all follow the beat with surprising accuracy. The intervals they leave between themselves allow them to leave the dance when they are tired and rejoin it without causing any disturbance: the circles shrink and expand as needed, always keeping time, and the dancers can rest and be replaced by others (\u2026) their dances usually last all night.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n What the colonists saw of the First Nations’ dances must have seem odd and inappropriate, so there was no dance exchange between those groups of population. Let’s add that the exchanges between the colonists and the First Nations was limited to trade, diplomacy and armed fight. Not ideal bases for a choreographic encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Slaves abducted from Africa brought with them their own singing and dancing traditions. They kept that culture alive in America. In the South, Black and White folks are strictly separated. But we have an example of exchange between both communities in New Amsterdam. Which is New York, before the English took over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We know that during the religious celebrations in New Amsterdam, Dutch and Black families dances together in the streets. Three-stringed violins and drums made from eel pots covered with sheepskin provided the musical entertainment.<\/p>\n\n\n That tradition, well settled, horrified the English when they took over the Dutch colony. They then discouraged any form of interracial dancing. The Black community developped, in parallel with the one of the colonists, their own dancing style. That style was going to greatly influence the Western ballroom dancing at the end of the 19th century. But we aren’t there yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And now, without further ado, here are the dances of the European colonists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aristocratic balls usually began with a minuet<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This formal and complex couple dance originated at the court of the Sun King. It perfectly expresses the spirit of the nobility. Only one couple dances at a time, under the watchful gaze (and comments) of the assembly. The couples perform in order of precedence, from the highest social rank to the lowest. Everyone therefore knows exactly where they stand on the social ladder and in relation to the other dancers.<\/p>\n\n\n The Allemande <\/a>is also a couple dance. Much simpler in its steps, it involves different arm “passes”, a bit as in the rock’n roll. Originally from Germany, it was Paris that gave her her letters of nobility. That is why her name remains \u2018Allemande\u2019, even in English.<\/p>\n\n\n In America, the allemande is sometimes used to open the ball, in place of the minuet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last fashionable dance from Paris arrived in the 13 colonies in the 1770’s: the French country dance or cotillion<\/a>. Four couples places in a square perform quite complex patterns on the ground. The structure of the dance alternated chorus and verses. A chorus is linked to a specific country dance, while the verses are the same in all the country dances. Those verses, called “changes”, are usually between 5 and 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The country dance, or longways, comes from England. It welcomes any number of couples. The dance is based upon the progression: the couples move up or down in the column. At the end of the 18th century, the longways are mostly in triple minor set<\/a><\/em>: three couples interacts together.<\/p>\n\n\n“Middle” colonies (New York, Pennsylvanie, New Jersey, Delaware)<\/h3>\n\n\n
What did they dance? The dance repertoire in the 13 colonies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dances of the First Nations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Dances of the slaves and black communities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Minuet<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Allemande<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The French country dance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The country or contra dance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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