# data[].attributes.body
Stories behind the dances’ origin
According to historical accounts, the Tinikling dance originated during the Spanish occupation in the Philippines—particularly on the island of Leyte. Rice farmers on the Visayan Islands usually set up bamboo traps to protect their fields, yet tikling birds dodged their traps. Locals imitated the birds’ movement, and supposedly, that’s how this dramatic traditional folk dance was born.
However, according to legend, the dance originated during the Spanish colonial era when locals were ordered by the King of Spain to work on large plantations. Those who did not follow his orders or worked too slowly were given a punishment: to stand in between two bamboo poles.

These poles were then clapped together in an effort to beat the Filipino natives’ feet. To escape this punishment, the Filipinos would jump when the two poles were about to be clapped. This practice of jumping between the poles eventually transformed from a challenge into an artistic dance.

Ronica Valdevilla (2018)
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/tinikling-the-national-dance-of-the-philippines-with-bamboo-poles/

# data[].attributes.body
Why is the dance called Tinikling?

Wondering how this type of dance got its name? The Tinikling is said to be named after the long-legged bird called the tikling in the Philippines. This bird belongs to a number of rail species, but the name typically refers to the slaty-breasted Rail (Gallirallus striatus), the buff-banded Rail (Gallirallus philippensis), and the barred rail (Gallirallus torquatus).
Someone who dances the Tinikling imitates the movements of a tikling bird (hence, tikling-like) as the bird walks over the grass or dodges bamboo traps set by Filipino farmers on vast rice fields.

Ronica Valdevilla (2018)
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/tinikling-the-national-dance-of-the-philippines-with-bamboo-poles/

# data[].attributes.body
Tinikling equipment may be bought commercially, but is more economical to supply yourself. The following items work well and are inexpensive:

1. Wooden closet dowels from the local lumber yard (8-18 feet long, depending on number of dancers).2. Pieces of free 2x4 scrap or inexpensively bought 2x4's may be cut as blocks (approximately 30 inches long).3. Free carpeting samples may be cut up and glued to the bottom of block ends to protect wood floors and to decrease vibrating of blocks when they are hit.4. Tape marks may be placed on blocks to approximate the width to separate the poles to hit them on the blocks (14-18 inches apart, depending on size of dancers).

Lead-up Activities
Several preliminary activities help students to master actual tinikling steps. As with learning any activity, it is helpful to break tinikling down into its component parts. Pole clapping and dancing steps may be introduced using the following sequence:

1. Clap to self - Have movers simulate the 4/4 tinikling beat by slapping hands against their thighs for two beats, and then clapping hands together for two beats. The cadence is "down, down, together, together" or "slap, slap, clap, clap."2. Clap with foursome - With all facing the middle of the foursome, have students slap hands against their thighs for two beats, and then clap hands against their neighbor's hands on either side for two beats.3. Clap poles with partner without dancers.

4. Practice basic steps with poles still on floor.5. When music is introduced, instrumental music has a more defined beat than does music with lyrics.

Types of steps

Tinikling dance steps are usually described as combinations of only three basic 4/4 steps: Singles, doubles, and hops. Singles and doubles refer to the number of feet that touch the floor at a time during a given step. Hops refers to a specific category of singles steps, although sometimes a step involving just one foot at a time actually contains a leap, since the body weight is transferred from one foot to the other foot. The selected steps that follow are described and demonstrated via video according to the specific nature of the steps, rather than simply the number of feet involved:

Ronica Valdeavilla (2018)
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/tinikling-the-national-dance-of-the-philippines-with-bamboo-poles/

# data[].attributes.body
Alongside the Cariñosa dance, the Tinikiling is considered a national dance in the Philippines and almost every Filipino knows how to do it. Since it’s a dramatic dance, it’s usually performed on special occasions like traditional Filipino festivals or at school and theater performances. Some say that this dance represents most Filipinos’ two main character traits: They’re resilient and fun-loving.

To dance the Tinikling, you need two pairs of bamboo poles that are each 6–12 feet long (about 1.8–3.7 meters). Female dancers usually wear a dress called a Balintawak (a colorful dress with arched sleeves) or a Patadyong (a checkered loose skirt that’s often worn with a thin-fibered blouse). Males wear an embroidered formal shirt that’s untucked called the Barong Tagalog—which is the country’s national outfit for Filipino men. The Barong is usually paired with red trousers. All dancers perform the Tinikling while barefoot.

While only two bamboo poles are involved in this dance, some versions use four bamboo poles, where the pairs are arranged in a cross-like pattern. To avoid getting their ankles caught in between the poles, dancers must listen closely and follow the rhythm of the music.

Judson Sickler (2010)
https://vimeo.com/15776029

# data[].attributes.body
The following are benefits of Dancing Tinikling,

Manage your weight
Improve Muscle Tone
Cardiovascular Endurance

The following are examples of activities

The following are example of Skill-related fitness developed in learning the dance tinikling,

Balance
Speed
Body Composition

The following are skills improved in learning the dance Tinikling,
Agility

Rhythm
Hand Coordination

Smartanswer-ph.com (2021)
https://smartanswer-ph.com/english/separate-sheet-of-paper-8-11-the-fo-12819451#otvet