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Hips and Hippo Day!
Feb 15
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"Me hip’s gone wonky, me knee’s gone stiff,
I’d trade ‘em both for a dram and a lift!
Once I jigged wi’ a Highland flair,
Now I just sit in the dancin' chair!
But gie me a reel, and I’ll still try,
Wi’ a twirl and a hop (or at least a sigh!)
The legs might creak, but I’ll nae delay—
So hip, hip... ouch!... hooray anyway!"
Hippopotamuses definitely deserve a day of recognition! But then so do all dancers who dance on, devise on, or spectate on despite aches and pains just for the love of the dance! Devised for a dancer returning from a successful hip replacement, this jig salutes all dancers who return to music and dancing in any capacity after an injury or other hiatus, and thoughtfully doesn't require any pas de basques to allow the building up of strength. "Hip Hip, Chin Chin" and Cheers! ❤️ 🕺 💃 🦛 🦛 🦛
Hip Hip Hooray!
To take one's mind off an aching hip, let's contemplate the hippo!
Hippos, or hippopotamuses, are large, semi-aquatic mammals native to Africa, known for their massive size, barrel-shaped bodies, and powerful jaws. Their name comes from the Ancient Greek words hippos (ἵππος), meaning "horse," and potamos (ποταμός), meaning "river," translating to "river horse." This name reflects their close association with water, as they spend much of their lives submerged in rivers and lakes to keep cool under the scorching African sun. Despite their seemingly docile appearance, hippos are among the most dangerous animals in Africa, capable of incredible speed and aggression when provoked.
The hippo dancing scene in Fantasia (1940) is part of the segment "Dance of the Hours," a comedic ballet sequence set to the music of Amilcare Ponchielli's La Gioconda.
In this scene, a group of anthropomorphic animals, including ostriches, elephants, alligators, and hippopotamuses, perform a humorous ballet. The most famous character is Hyacinth Hippo, a large pink hippopotamus who acts as the prima ballerina. She gracefully (and sometimes clumsily) dances across the stage in a tutu, striking delicate poses and showing off her light-footed moves despite her size.
See it below by clicking the still.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
