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One of the most well-known power dances is the Haka. It is from the Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand. This expressive dance is often called a war dance and serves the purpose of impressing others and showing respect. You can read more about the Haka here.

Many other groups worldwide have their own power, unity, celebration, or war dance. While most war dances involve weapons, not all power dances or celebration dances do. These dances are expressions of identity and true forms of art, each telling a unique story. They are an integral part of a people’s culture and rituals. I’ll give you an overview of 10 such power dances in this article.

1 Siva Tau (Samoa)

The Siva Tau, similar to the Haka, is a war dance that hails from Samoa and is known by many Polynesians. It’s a traditional war dance that used to be performed before battles, a testament to courage and strength. It’s a challenge, a declaration of superiority, and a warning to opponents. The national rugby team of Samoa performs this dance before every match, a symbol of their cultural pride and unity. Tau stands for ‘warrior’ or ‘battle.’

Siva means ‘dance,’ and the various Samoan dances are the people’s poetry. They tell a story of values and are performed at various events.

In the video below, you can see the Siva Tau performed during the Rugby League World Cup in 2021:

2 Tjakalele (Moluccas)

This war dance originated in the northern and central parts of the Moluccas. Both men and women perform it, and the men carry a knife and a shield. The Tjakalele was performed after a victory, to welcome people, or when a baby was born. A drum, a gong, and a flute accompany the dance.

3 Hopak (Ukraine)

This popular dance is also called the national folk dance of Ukraine. Originally, it was from the Cossacks and was mainly performed by men after a battle victory. Later, groups of women and men danced the Hopak. ‘Hopak’ comes from the Ukrainian word ‘hopaty,’ which means ‘to hop’.

4 Pyrrhichios (Greece)

This ancient war dance of the Greeks was a form of training for soldiers, gymnasts, and young children to prepare them for battle. The dancers move quickly to dodge arrows and blows from the enemy.

Today, it’s a popular Greek dance that was performed at the opening of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

5 Capoeira (Afro-Caribbean)

Capoeira comes from Brazil and was danced by the enslaved people from Angola. In the 19th century, enslaved people were not allowed to fight, and the dance was a disguise for training this martial art. It contains elements of dance, acrobatics, and music (singing). Capoeira comes from the Portuguese word capoeiragem, a series of combat skills. It’s a complex dance and martial art with fluid movements and high kicks. The word’s origin is Tupi, an extinct language spoken by the Tupi people in Brazil. The word Ka’a refers to ‘forest,’ and paũ means ‘round.’ This refers to the places in the forest with low vegetation and where the escaped enslaved people hid. Capoeira has a ‘ call ‘ like the Haka and the Siva Tau. This Chamada aims to uncover the opponent’s intentions.

6 Hula (Hawaii)

This complex dance originated on the islands of Hawaii. It is performed sitting or standing, and hand movements have different meanings. There are traditional, old, and modern Hulas. Many Hulas have a religious meaning, honoring the Hawaiian Goddess.

The Hawaiian war dance is the Ha’a, which contains many elements of the Māori Haka, such as facial expressions, hand trembling, and rhythmic body slapping. It is one of the many Polynesian chants or dances performed before a battle. Ancient legends and, of course, the Hoela inspire the Ha’a. In the video below, you can see a Ha’a performed by the Warriors, the football team of Hawaii.

7 Yowlah (United Arab Emirates)

The Yowlah is a dance with weapons. Traditionally, it’s performed at weddings and other festive occasions. It’s traditionally a war dance of the Bedouins to celebrate a victory. It includes dance, drum music, and poetry. The dancers carry weapons such as swords, (toy) guns, or sticks, which they wield skillfully. It’s also called a ‘stick dance.’ Women also participate in the dance and are usually at the front.

8 Ohafia (Nigeria)

The Ohafia war dance originates from the city of the same name in Eastern Nigeria. It’s a dance commemorating strong men’s strength and victorious battles. The skulls of the enemy symbolize the courage and strength of the warriors. It’s danced to celebrate someone’s or a group’s success.

9 Crip Walk (United States)

This is a newer dance than the older traditional dances I described earlier. It’s also called the C-Walk. It was created by a member (Robert ‘Sugar Bear’ Jackson) of the first generation of the Crip gang from Los Angeles in the 1970s. The rival Bloods gang also created their own dance (Blood dance) to challenge each other. It’s an expression of identity that was also performed at rap parties. The dance involves fast and intricate foot movements.

Below is a video of tennis star Serena Williams performing the C-Walk after winning an Olympic medal in 2012.

10 Europe

In Europe, many ethnic groups had their own war, sword, or power dances. Examples are those of the tribes of the Celts, the Anglo-Saxons, and the Norwegians. You can still find them in Scotland, the Dirk Dance, the Moresca in Spain, and the Ezpatadantza in the Basque Country. A well-known power dance is that of the Icelandic football team. It’s called the Viking Clap.

Your power dance

There are many more power dances, war dances, unity dances, and celebration dances in the world that make a big impression on spectators. The power dance is an expression of one’s own identity, strength, faith, talent, purpose, and joy.

I can help you or your team create your own power dance during a workshop. The basis and inspiration is the Haka of the Māori. From there, we work to uncover where you as a group come from, where you are now, and where you are going. Powerful gestures and words can be used to give your unique dance form.

Interested? Contact me today!

What is your favorite power dance? Let me know in the comment box below. I, and other readers of this article, look forward to read from you!

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Sources:
-Wikipedia, War dance & many subpages
-Marjorie Perlas, A Brief History of the Hawaiian Haka

Freek Zilvold