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Fire dancing is fascinating and dangerous which only adds to it's attractions for many people. This form of dance - and it includes candle dances - finds expression in a number of countries in the world. It was during the period of the mid 1990's to early 2000 that this art form really exploded on the North American continent. Before that it had been associated with little known ethnic traditions and the circus. Now it incorporates influences from all around the globe.
Performances are held at places such as raves, rock concerts, night clubs, beach parties, camping festivals and cabarets. Interest and knowledge has been disseminated by the Burning Man Festival and the internet. Fire dancing is known by a number of names such as "fire twirling", "fire spinning", "fire performance", or "fire manipulation". All forms involve manipulating objects which are on fire. Some forms of the art have similarities to juggling or baton twirling.
One of the most popular categories is Fire Poi. Poi is a Maori word and this form originated in New Zealand. Fire Poi consists of a ball with a wick at the end of a chain which the performers swing around their bodies. Normally one poi is held in each hand and they are rotated to make a circular trail of fire around the dancer. The performance is often accompanied by music. All equipment involves an object which contains a wick which is soaked in fuel and lighted.
Other forms of apparatus used in this type of dancing include Fire Hoops, Batons, Fire Sticks, Fire Meteors, Torches, Fans and Finger Wands, the list goes on increasing as new ideas are introduced.
Fire, music and movement are a very heady combination. We fear fire yet we are fascinated by it. Someone who appears to control it inspires awe. We all know that it is dangerous to play with fire but we still want to. A performer known as the Naked Fire Goddess applies the flames to her bare skin. Although she says "it burns a bit there's no marks or anything" I fear that she is damaging her skin whether she knows it or not.
There are those who practice this art for deeply spiritual reasons such as meditation. They say that it gives them a feeling of closeness to the Planet and the Cosmos. These individuals are performing for themselves. Another group are paid performer whose aim is to entertain an audience.
There are a number of different Fire dancing categories:
In Traditional Fire Shows it is usual for performers to wear Polynesian style costumes. Standard Modern Style involves elaborate make up and scanty costumes. Fire Theater is often part of a large stage show such as a rock concert. Fire Fetish shows are extremely sexually provocative with costumes designed to enhance this effect. These shows are also performed for an audience. Erotic Fire Shows include sexually arousing movement, erotic music and very brief costumes. Often a solo dancer performs for a couple. Ritual Fire shows bring occult elements to the performance. The idea is to highlight and strengthen the ritual.
Fire and Belly dance is a form of raqs sharqi with aspects of fire and belly dancing. Fire Comedy Jugglers juggle with fire working it into a comedy routine. Needless to say any one wanting to take part in Fire dancing needs to be taught the basic moves without the use of fire. Also always bear safety in mind. We, unlike the Phoenix will not rise again.
Fire Dancing Arts
Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock – or maybe the Antarctic where you might not be able to build a fire – has no doubt watched a fire dancing performance once at his life. It's fascinating . Fire Dancing is made of a number of beautiful arts, many of which are fire twirling. In short, anything you can light on fire, you can fire dance with! That said, we do not condone arson, or igniting the household cat for a fire dancing duo! Some of the more popular fire dancing arts are:
· Fire Eating / Breathing
· Fire Poi
· Fire Staves
· Fire Fans
· Fire Walking
· Fire Fingers
· Fire Hoops
· Fire Swords
Maori Poi
The Maoris are a native tribe from New Zealand and have been largely credited as the original inventors of the art of fire dancing. Traditionally speaking, the dancing sequence they make using poi balls do not involve the use of fire but the moves, however, are similar to what you'd see being used by today's modern fire dancers.
Maori poi balls are both dancing and musical instruments. More specifically, it's used like drums when making music. These dances are used not only for storytelling but they are also good for exercising the body. All those swift, rhythmic, and complex moves develop a person’s coordination, strength, and flexibility especially in the arms, hands, and wrists.
Hawaiian Sword Dance
Another traditional dance that today's modern fire dancing is based on is the knife dance from the Samoans, a tribe native to Hawaii. Everyone knows that Hawaiians are very good dancers. Their dancing styles are unique and famous all over the world and many songs have been made popular simply because they are often used for Hawaiian dancing.
It was only in 1946, however, that Hawaiian dancing had been combined with the use of fire. Then, Letu Olo Misilagi was at San Francisco's Shriners Convention for a performance. He happened to watch a baton twirler and fire eater perform and was summarily inspired, enough to create a fire knife dance. The rest, as they say, is history. He even has a book out about it, not to mention spawning an annual competition for fire knife dancers from all over the world held at Oahu.
Bulgarian Fire Walking
It isn't dancing per se, but it’s close enough. Fire walking is still a dangerous and thrilling performing art and one that originated from the mountains of Bulgaria. History specifically points to Saint Constantine, whose feast day is celebrated by the locals by walking on fire. Needless to say, do not attempt to do this without professional training. Tourists haven’t been as cautious in the past and they ended up injured. Today, it’s not infrequent that you'll find fire dancers performing all of these and other styles for your entertainment.
Put Safety First.
Fire Dancing is and always will be one of the most dangerous things that someone can undertake. If you are thinking about learning a fire art as a hobby. Then don't. It cannot be stressed enough that this is not something that may be self taught. This writer has personally set his face alight, and his mentor has been in hospital due to a (fire) breathe that has gone wrong. If you aren't willing to pay the price then please do not attempt this. Finally treat the fire with respect, 90% of all accidents that go wrong for 'professionals' are due to them losing focus for just 1 second. If this has not put you off then please continue to read below, then find someone that is willing to teach you.
Performances are held at places such as raves, rock concerts, night clubs, beach parties, camping festivals and cabarets. Interest and knowledge has been disseminated by the Burning Man Festival and the internet. Fire dancing is known by a number of names such as "fire twirling", "fire spinning", "fire performance", or "fire manipulation". All forms involve manipulating objects which are on fire. Some forms of the art have similarities to juggling or baton twirling.
One of the most popular categories is Fire Poi. Poi is a Maori word and this form originated in New Zealand. Fire Poi consists of a ball with a wick at the end of a chain which the performers swing around their bodies. Normally one poi is held in each hand and they are rotated to make a circular trail of fire around the dancer. The performance is often accompanied by music. All equipment involves an object which contains a wick which is soaked in fuel and lighted.
Other forms of apparatus used in this type of dancing include Fire Hoops, Batons, Fire Sticks, Fire Meteors, Torches, Fans and Finger Wands, the list goes on increasing as new ideas are introduced.
Fire, music and movement are a very heady combination. We fear fire yet we are fascinated by it. Someone who appears to control it inspires awe. We all know that it is dangerous to play with fire but we still want to. A performer known as the Naked Fire Goddess applies the flames to her bare skin. Although she says "it burns a bit there's no marks or anything" I fear that she is damaging her skin whether she knows it or not.
There are those who practice this art for deeply spiritual reasons such as meditation. They say that it gives them a feeling of closeness to the Planet and the Cosmos. These individuals are performing for themselves. Another group are paid performer whose aim is to entertain an audience.
There are a number of different Fire dancing categories:
In Traditional Fire Shows it is usual for performers to wear Polynesian style costumes. Standard Modern Style involves elaborate make up and scanty costumes. Fire Theater is often part of a large stage show such as a rock concert. Fire Fetish shows are extremely sexually provocative with costumes designed to enhance this effect. These shows are also performed for an audience. Erotic Fire Shows include sexually arousing movement, erotic music and very brief costumes. Often a solo dancer performs for a couple. Ritual Fire shows bring occult elements to the performance. The idea is to highlight and strengthen the ritual.
Fire and Belly dance is a form of raqs sharqi with aspects of fire and belly dancing. Fire Comedy Jugglers juggle with fire working it into a comedy routine. Needless to say any one wanting to take part in Fire dancing needs to be taught the basic moves without the use of fire. Also always bear safety in mind. We, unlike the Phoenix will not rise again.
Fire Dancing Arts
Anyone who hasn't been living under a rock – or maybe the Antarctic where you might not be able to build a fire – has no doubt watched a fire dancing performance once at his life. It's fascinating . Fire Dancing is made of a number of beautiful arts, many of which are fire twirling. In short, anything you can light on fire, you can fire dance with! That said, we do not condone arson, or igniting the household cat for a fire dancing duo! Some of the more popular fire dancing arts are:
· Fire Eating / Breathing
· Fire Poi
· Fire Staves
· Fire Fans
· Fire Walking
· Fire Fingers
· Fire Hoops
· Fire Swords
Maori Poi
The Maoris are a native tribe from New Zealand and have been largely credited as the original inventors of the art of fire dancing. Traditionally speaking, the dancing sequence they make using poi balls do not involve the use of fire but the moves, however, are similar to what you'd see being used by today's modern fire dancers.
Maori poi balls are both dancing and musical instruments. More specifically, it's used like drums when making music. These dances are used not only for storytelling but they are also good for exercising the body. All those swift, rhythmic, and complex moves develop a person’s coordination, strength, and flexibility especially in the arms, hands, and wrists.
Hawaiian Sword Dance
Another traditional dance that today's modern fire dancing is based on is the knife dance from the Samoans, a tribe native to Hawaii. Everyone knows that Hawaiians are very good dancers. Their dancing styles are unique and famous all over the world and many songs have been made popular simply because they are often used for Hawaiian dancing.
It was only in 1946, however, that Hawaiian dancing had been combined with the use of fire. Then, Letu Olo Misilagi was at San Francisco's Shriners Convention for a performance. He happened to watch a baton twirler and fire eater perform and was summarily inspired, enough to create a fire knife dance. The rest, as they say, is history. He even has a book out about it, not to mention spawning an annual competition for fire knife dancers from all over the world held at Oahu.
Bulgarian Fire Walking
It isn't dancing per se, but it’s close enough. Fire walking is still a dangerous and thrilling performing art and one that originated from the mountains of Bulgaria. History specifically points to Saint Constantine, whose feast day is celebrated by the locals by walking on fire. Needless to say, do not attempt to do this without professional training. Tourists haven’t been as cautious in the past and they ended up injured. Today, it’s not infrequent that you'll find fire dancers performing all of these and other styles for your entertainment.
Put Safety First.
Fire Dancing is and always will be one of the most dangerous things that someone can undertake. If you are thinking about learning a fire art as a hobby. Then don't. It cannot be stressed enough that this is not something that may be self taught. This writer has personally set his face alight, and his mentor has been in hospital due to a (fire) breathe that has gone wrong. If you aren't willing to pay the price then please do not attempt this. Finally treat the fire with respect, 90% of all accidents that go wrong for 'professionals' are due to them losing focus for just 1 second. If this has not put you off then please continue to read below, then find someone that is willing to teach you.
