{"id":53107,"date":"2015-06-17T12:46:05","date_gmt":"2015-06-17T12:46:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scotclans.com\/?p=53107"},"modified":"2015-06-17T12:46:05","modified_gmt":"2015-06-17T12:46:05","slug":"the-sword-dance-ghillie-callum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/project1-m9gb2xku8.live-website.com\/?p=53107","title":{"rendered":"The Sword Dance (Ghillie Callum)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Scottish sword dance is found in Scottish folklore, recorded as early as the 15th century, back to King Malcolm Canmore (Shakespeare\u2019s MacBeth).\u00a0 The Sword Dance, or Ghillie Callum\u00a0is the most well known of all Highland Dances. It is an ancient dance of war of the Scottish Gael. \u00a0There are a number of sources that mention it was performed by two performers in a duelling form.<\/p>\n

In the Scottish sword dance the dancer crosses two swords on the ground in an “X” shape, dances around and within the 4 quarters of it. \u00a0There are different versions of this dance including\u00a0\u00a0the ‘Highland Fling’ which\u00a0involves a fast dance steps atop a\u00a0targe, and the\u00a0Dirk dance\u00a0involves either one or two dancers, each holding a single Dirk. \u00a0Also\u00a0The Argyll Broadswords, The Jacobite Sword Dance, The Clansmen Sword Dance, The Broadswords of Lochiel and the Lochaber Broadswords to name but a few.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Sword Dance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n

Legend tells that Ghillie Callum was a Celtic prince, the anglacized version of this name is\u00a0Malcolm Canmore. \u00a0It is said that the prince crossed his sword over that of a defeated enemy one of the\u00a0MacBeth’s Chiefs at the Battle of Dunsinane in 1054\u00a0and danced round and over the naked blades in triumph at the defeat of the chief.<\/p>\n

Malcolm was the son of King Duncan of Scotland <\/a>whom Macbeth, the Earl of Moray, defeated and killed in the year 1040 and took the crown of Scotland. This is the same Macbeth<\/a> about whom William Shakespeare wrote his famous play. \u00a0Malcolm had been in hiding in England, dreaming of returning to Scotland and reclaiming his fathers throne. \u00a0It was after his return when he won the battle that this dance of\u00a0triumph took place.<\/p>\n

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From here the sword dance evolved into a traditional battle dance performed by Highland warriors, to a test of skill and agility. \u00a0To do the sword dance\u00a0the back is straight and shoulders square. The arms when raised in 3rd position are curved and held steady. The wrists are held firm at Akimbo with elbows square. \u00a0All of this shows and takes great strength and control, then there is the precision needed with the footwork as the person moves between the blades, which must not be touched. \u00a0To\u00a0touch or displace the swords was a bad omen and was indicative of losses or even defeat.<\/p>\n

There is another origin to the sword dance which dates back to he Norwegian invasion of Northern Scotland and the Hebrides, is The Sword Dance of Papa Stour \u2013 a small island off the west coast of Shetland.<\/p>\n

“This dance is performed by seven dancers representing the seven champions of Christendom \u2013 St Andrew of Scotland<\/a>, St George of England, St David of Wales, St Patrick of Ireland, St Dennis of France, St James of Spain and St Anthony of Italy.<\/p>\n

Each champion carries a sword at his side. The dance is preceded by an exhortation to each champion, with Scotland\u2019s champion being called thus –<\/p>\n

Thou kindly Scotsman come thou here,
\nThy name is Andrew of fair Scotland,
\nDraw out thy sword that is most clear,
\nAnd fight for the King with thy right hand.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There follows an intricate dance in which the champions move in circles, forming arches and patterns with their swords, holding the hilt in their right hand and the point of the next sword in their left. Eventually they are all intertwined to form a seven-pointed star, which is held aloft. The wonderful colour of the sashes worn by the champions coupled with their intricate movements, agility and grace makes this dance a wonderful spectacle.”
\nThe above article is attributed to the late Charlie Mill 1940 \u2013 2004<\/p>\n

Today the sword dance can be performed with 1 or 2 (maybe more) dancers and can be seen performed at Highland Games.<\/p>\n

\"Beside
Beside the sword dance, there were the combative dances. Traditionally, these dances were taught to boys from a young age, along with other Highland weapons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n