The Quadrille

Originally it was a form of cotillion which only two couples were used but two more couples were eventually added to form the sides of a square. The couple in each corner of the square took turns in per-forming the dance, where one couple danced and the other couples rested. The “Quadrille des contredanses” was now a lively dance with four couples arranged in the shape of a square, each couple facing the center. One pair was called the “head” couple, the adjacent pairs the side couples. A dance figure or part was of-ten performed by the head couple and then repeated by the side couples. The Quadrille is a dance of steps and figures. Adopted and adapted by Bahamians; the Bahamian quadrille is a lively dance style with a combination of European and Afro-Caribbean influences, performed by mixed couples. The dance involves vigorous movements and foot stomping and is traditionally danced to rake n scrape music. The dance usu-ally occurs in a square or rectangle formation, in which mixed gendered couples dance freely to the music. While there is no specific choreography in Bahamian quadrille, the males are expected to dance more vigorously and incorporate foot stomping.