Rapper sword (also known as the "Short Sword" dance) is a variation of sword dance that emerged from the pit villages of Tyneside in North East England, where miners first performed the tradition.
The dance requires five performers who coordinate themselves whilst using "rapper swords" made from flexible steel. Accompanies with traditional folk music, the dancers wear specially-designed shoes that allow for percussive foot movements. Mental alertness, in additional to physical agility, is required in order for dance participants to effectively utilize the swords without causing harm to themselves or the other performers.
Read more about Rapper Sword: History, Costume, Further Information
Famous quotes containing the word sword:
“Sir Eglamour, that worthy knight,
He took his sword and went to fight;
And as he rode both hill and dale,
Armed upon his shirt of mail,
A dragon came out of his den,
Had slain, God knows how many men!”
—Samuel Rowlands (1570?–1630?)