Tinikling is the national dance of the Philippines. It is a folk dance inspired by an endemic bird called “tikling” (heron). The steps of this dance are imitations of the movements of a “tikling” bird that hops and escapes the traps set by hunters or as they run over tree branches, walk between grass stems. Moving with poise and grace, the dancers skip in-between two bamboo poles that are held to pound rhythmically against each other. This dance originated in the islands of Leyte in the Visayas Region of the Philippines.

However, there are different stories as to the real origin of this folk dance. Since such stories were just passed through oral histories and folklores, no one can really tell if the origin is true or not. These stories have not been supported with concrete proofs or evidences so it’s up to you if you believe it or not.

A story says that the dance started during the Spanish’s colonization of the Philippines. According to the story, when the Spaniards conquered the Philippines, the natives lost control of their lands, eventually sending them to haciendas, an estate owned by the Spanish friars, which are used for agricultural and industrial purposes during those times.  This resulted to the implementation of an economic system that is based on rural and agricultural operations of large farmlands administered by officials connected to the King of Spain.

The Filipino people had to work so hard in order to please the Spaniards and for them not to be punished. The most notable form of punishment to these natives was the stand between two bamboo poles. Most of the times, the bamboo poles have thorns from their segments. Hence, when clapped together to beat their feet, the natives had to jump in order to escape the vindictive punishment.

By constant practice in trying to escape the ‘lethal’ bamboo poles during their punishment, the natives began to regard the act as a challenge and soon, a dance.

Nowadays, tinikling has become one of the representations of the Philippines and its people as it was made the national dance of the country. Different variations, versions, and interpretation of the dance have been introduced.

According to some references, tinikling has been part of the physical education classes in the United States, especially in many elementary and middle schools. Aside from the fact that it is a form of aerobic exercise, it also improves spatial awareness, rhythm, leg and foot speed, agility, and coordination of the dancers.