ALCAMFOR: Philippine Folk Dance

 


Its name is derived from the plant of the same name having a peculiar hot and aromatic smell. Female dancers hold handkerchiefs scented with the "alcamfor" (naphtalene balls) believed to induce romance. The dance came from Leyte. An interesting feature of the dance is its music. The first part is a stately 3/4 music like the French minuet and the second part is a lively music which is actually a composition of German composer Emile Waldteufel Andre Walschaerts entitled "Marinja" (Estudiantina). The book "Philippine National Dances" simply claimed that the second part of the music is lively 'like Spanish dances'.

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