@IntoTheLight,
Great thread idea
Warning for My Three Vids (as might be expected, I'm bringing in traditional folk dancing from the "Republic of Georgia"):
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME, KIDS!!
First, a 2 minute traditional sword fighting dance (they ARE a warrior society):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUH6fM6_24M
Second: Dance Shejibri:
begins (as do many Georgian dances) with some dull-ish folk dancing BUT stay with it (it's a 4:57 mn vid) -- At around 2:21 the fun begins and after 3 minutes you'll be awestruck by the increasingly physically impossible moves, including some little kids, and especially the finale.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5NhPk2uqos
Finally, the famous Georgian "Dance With 'Daggers". A 6 mn vid, as usual starts slow, but around 2:20 you start seeing daggers being thrown onto the floor, sticking upright, and by 3:00 mn you realize the floor is increasingly being covered with erect daggers which these guys are whipping out of their costumes at light speed and throwing near each others' feet. From that point on it just gets better and better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXnVbJNM4Is
rebecca