Rachel Sessions
I
was born on Kauai in the 1970s and I was exposed to the beautiful ancient art of Polynesian Fire Dancing at a very young age. Ancient Aztecs performed a fire dance dedicated to Xiuhtecuhtli, the god of fire.[ 1 ]. In Bali, the Angel Dance and the Fire Dance, regularly performed for tourists, have origins in ancient rituals. Both the Angel Dance and the Fire Dance originated in a trance ritual called the sanghyang, a ritual dance“ performed to ward off witches at the time of an epidemic.”[ 2 ] Also known as the“ horse dance” men perform the dance by holding rods representing horses, while leaping around burning coconut husks, and walking through the flames. French Polynesia, Antigua, Cuba and Saint Lucia are other locations where fire dances are recreated for tourists. The Siddha Jats of the Thar Desert in India perform traditional fire dances as part of the Spring festival.
Modern fire shows vary greatly, from performances choreographed to music, to street style shows with varying levels of audience interaction and participation. Fire performance typically involves tools or other objects made with one or more wicks, which are designed to sustain a flame without being consumed. Modern fire shows can use a very wide range of fire skills and props. Since the mid-1990s fire performance has grown in popularity. This growth has occurred both in the hobby and the professional skills that are seen. Fire performances have become widespread at raves, nightclubs, beach parties, and music festivals.
The Burning Man festival has also attributed to the growth and awareness of fire performance with its fire-oriented art. Fire performance has become increasingly popular as entertainment at corporate events, street festivals, celebration events and as a precursor to firework displays.
I started fire dancing over 20 years ago and my first props were Poi, but I soon discovered a lot of new and exciting props and I now make all my own fire toys. As a lady rider I knew I could incorporate motorcycles into my fire dancing. I will never forget when I told my husband that I was going to make giant butterfly / fairy wings and strap them to my back and then ride my Harley. He said I was crazy but two weeks later he was in the shop with me
24 Thunder Roads Magazine ® Colorado April 2016 www. thunderroadscolorado. com