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According to legend, when Ireland was under complete British control, Irish culture was discouraged by the English in charge. Dancing, which was incredibly important to the Irish, was allegedly outlawed by conquering Normans in the 12th century. According to a popular legend, the natives refused to give up their dance, and adapted their dances by keeping their arms still so that whenever the English would look in the Irish people's windows, all they would see was a person with their hands to their sides, but their feet and legs were moving, under the protection of the the windows to conceal their "outlawed dancing." However, this is nothing more than an urban legend and the real history of Irish dancing is much more complicated.
Irish dances evolved for many different reasons, one of them being the outside influence of British dances, but not because it was declared illegal. One conquering Brit, Sir Henry Sydney wrote to Queen Elizabeth I in1569 of the Irish jigs he witnessed young girls performing for him upon his arrival: "They are very beautiful, magnificently dressed and first-class dancers."
One reason their arms are still in jigs and other similar dances is because the focus was meant to be given to the feet. Often, dancing competitions (which are still common in Ireland today,) would state in the rules that one cannot move their upper body, because the complex footwork is what is being judged and the judges should not "be unfairly influenced by elaborate hand and arm movement."
In truth, the history of Irish dancing is among an evolution of a complex nation which was often influenced by outsiders, the church, invaders and yet , to this day, maintains some of the most unique dancing culture in the world. So, no... hiding from the British is not exactly why they keep their arms still.
Sources:
Irish Dancing Commission - Origins and Evolutions By Dr. John Cullinane
Website at the link below
Having an Irish Dance-a-holic Grandma
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How did Irish dancing start?
Irish dancing began with the Druids who danced during their religious rituals. This dance was then combined with Celtic dance styles as they migrated to the area.
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Why do Irish dancers keep their arms down?
Irish dancers keep their arms straight down because back then, people would put the Irish in jail. in jail, they would dance to keep from going insane. their jail cells had windows that were the height level of their heads down to their waist. so the guards wouldn't see them dancing, they kept their arms straight at their sides so it didn't look like they were doing anything. but, they were movies their feet and legs only!
What do irash dancer keep still while dancing?
While the English were occupying Ireland, they forbade the Irish from performing their songs or dances or even speaking their native language (Gaelic). The legend says that Irish dancers started to keep their arms still so that they could dance around and English looking through the windows wouldn't be able to tell. I have been an Irish dancer for 11 1/2 years, and not all modern Irish dancers keep their arms by their sides, but they do have significantly less arm movement than most other types of dance.
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Irish dancers keep their arms straight down because back then, people would put the Irish in jail. in jail, they would dance to keep from going insane. their jail cells had windows that were the height level of their heads down to their waist. so the guards wouldn't see them dancing, they kept their arms straight at their sides so it didn't look like they were doing anything. but, they were movies their feet and legs only!
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How did Irish dancing start?
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i heard that Irish step dancing began when the British outlawed dance the Irish would tease the Brits by standing behind the half doors and only moving their legs that's how i heard it happened and i heard it from so you think you can dance so it must be true lol
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