Main content

It’s thought that dance predates language.
But why do we have an innate desire to move, and what are we trying to communicate?

Dance exists in every culture. It’s thought that humans were dancing before we learned to speak.

But why do we have this desire to move, and what are we trying to communicate? Mike Williams explores the idea of ‘muscular bonding’ – that moving together creates communities. He hears how Indian Kathak dance connects body and soul, how a Northern Australian society uses dance to blur gender divides, and how watching others dance makes us move too.

Picture: Dancers perform 'Bharatanatyam' on wheelchairs, a classical Indian dance at an event in Bangalore. Credit: AFP/Getty Images

Available now

18 minutes

Last on

Mon 24 Mar 2014 09:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 21 Mar 2014 20:32GMT
  • Sat 22 Mar 2014 14:32GMT
  • Sat 22 Mar 2014 23:32GMT
  • Mon 24 Mar 2014 02:32GMT
  • Mon 24 Mar 2014 09:32GMT

Get the podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes for free

Why do we look the way we do?

Tattoos, trainers, jeans, hair, ties ... why?

Podcast