0:00:41 > 0:00:44Every year, on 13th and 14th April,
0:00:44 > 0:00:46millions of Sikhs all around the world
0:00:46 > 0:00:50celebrate their most holy day in their calendar, Vaisakhi.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Yes, the celebrations serve a dual purpose - on one hand,
0:00:53 > 0:00:57it's the chance to have a sense of celebration and occasion for Sikhs,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00but it's also seen as the beginning of harvest,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04which indicates a time of happiness.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06The days are marked with street processions
0:01:06 > 0:01:10and the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy book,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12is carried in a place of honour.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14As well as chanting scriptures,
0:01:14 > 0:01:18singing and dancing is very much a part of the celebrations,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and we're lucky enough to be joined by the 4x4 Junior Bhangra Group
0:01:21 > 0:01:23to give us a bit of a demo.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25BHANGRA DRUMMING
0:01:27 > 0:01:28Hey!
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Hey! Hey!
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Hey! Hey!
0:01:48 > 0:01:49Hey!
0:01:49 > 0:01:51Hey! Hey!
0:02:49 > 0:02:50Hey!
0:02:53 > 0:02:55Hey!
0:03:00 > 0:03:02OFF-KEY TIN WHISTLE MELODY
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Morris dancing - it's as English as fish and chips, isn't it?
0:03:10 > 0:03:12But what's it all about?
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Your town, village or whatever
0:03:15 > 0:03:19would have had a traditional dance. You've got the Cotswolds,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21there's a lot of dances from there.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24The dances we do come from the borders of England and Wales.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27We've also got northwest dances.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Obviously, that's from the cotton mills of the northwest of England.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34East Anglia - you've got molly dancing from there.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37From the Sheffield area, you've got sword dancing
0:03:37 > 0:03:39because of... the pieces of steel, anyway.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42In the coal mining areas of Yorkshire, you have rapper,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44and the rapper is a short sword,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46but also, it was used to clean pit ponies.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49INDISTINCT SPEECH
0:03:49 > 0:03:51'At the time of the Reformation,
0:03:51 > 0:03:56'people were stopped from celebrating a lot of religious things,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00'whether they were pagan or Christian, it didn't really matter.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04'So, they blacked their faces so you didn't know who was doing it.'
0:04:04 > 0:04:06RAUCOUS PLAYING AND WHISTLING
0:04:06 > 0:04:09100 years ago,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13dances from this area were collected by a chap called Cecil Sharp
0:04:13 > 0:04:15and he wrote down what he saw,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19and this information is stored in Cecil Sharp House in London.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24When you start a morris dance side,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26or you're interested to start a side,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29you get information from Cecil Sharp House,
0:04:29 > 0:04:33which is your framework and you build on that framework.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36You see a lot of people using sticks and bells.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40We'll always have bells on.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43The sticks, when they beat the ground with them, or clash them,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47it was to frighten away evil spirits and to bring fertility to crops.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50And the bells were the same - it was a noise that you made
0:04:50 > 0:04:53to wake up the spring and have a good harvest after.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55ACCORDIONS PLAY, BELLS JINGLE
0:04:55 > 0:05:00The side from York have devised their own dance,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03adding to the tradition. So, what does it all mean?
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Well, that particular dance was called Wiltshire Wedding
0:05:07 > 0:05:10and it used to be danced at a wedding
0:05:10 > 0:05:15to celebrate the couple...couple's nuptials, I suppose that's the word.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18And the idea is that the figure of eight that we do
0:05:18 > 0:05:20is to signify everlasting love.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24And at the end, when we make the circle with these garlands,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27the couple should be in the middle.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30BELLS JINGLE
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- What's the story of this dragon, then?- The dragon?
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Most morris sides have got a dragon or a horse or a donkey,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41or something similar.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44An animal normally accompanies morris sides when they're dancing.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48It started life as Old Nick, the Devil.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53In morris dancing, there are circles
0:05:53 > 0:05:56and circles are magic, the Magic Circle,
0:05:56 > 0:05:58which Old Nick, the Devil, must never enter.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02RAMSHACKLE BRASS MUSIC AND BELLS
0:06:05 > 0:06:09ACCORDION MUSIC AND BELLS
0:06:09 > 0:06:13The type of dancing that we do is called Welsh border morris.
0:06:13 > 0:06:19And it is thought that the working class, back several hundred years,
0:06:19 > 0:06:24would sew lively, colourful bits of ribbon on their coats.
0:06:24 > 0:06:30It was also thought that they were derived from poachers' jackets,
0:06:30 > 0:06:35an early form of camouflage-type jacket to hide in the undergrowth.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Handkerchiefs are normally done by Cotswold morris dancers.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42They represent court dances of the 17th century.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47They are basically a mickey-take of the hierarchy and the gentry.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52The hat is also feathers from spoils,
0:06:52 > 0:06:57from game, from animals that have been caught.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Aaaah!
0:07:01 > 0:07:04- WHISTLING - Yeahhhhh!
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Samba is the principal music and dance
0:07:16 > 0:07:18of Brazilian city Rio de Janeiro.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22It has fast-paced rhythmic movement and bright, imaginative costumes.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26The dance is often accompanied by percussion instruments
0:07:26 > 0:07:28and sometimes a small guitar, the cavaquinho.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32Samba's origins date back to the 16th century
0:07:32 > 0:07:34and combine elements of Portuguese culture
0:07:34 > 0:07:36from the settlers who colonised Brazil
0:07:36 > 0:07:41and traditions of the African slaves that came there.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Many types of samba have evolved since then.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Today, the most famous display of samba happens
0:07:46 > 0:07:48at the annual carnival in Rio de Janeiro.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52This attracts hundreds of thousands of performers and spectators
0:07:52 > 0:07:53every year.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Andy, I know you've wanted to do samba for so long...- Yes.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- ..now you're getting your chance! - Jackson, welcome. Guys, welcome.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- What's the first move I'm going to learn?- The box, kick and step.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05The box, kick and step.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07- So, right...- OK.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Left, right.- Uh-huh.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15So, right, left, left, right... OK, I like this.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19- Left, right, left...- Right. Even Gethin's picking it up!- I know!
0:08:19 > 0:08:20I'm way off.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- OK.- Now, can we get more exciting? - OK.- A bit more interesting.
0:08:23 > 0:08:28- We're going to ask you to do a kick.- A kick with it? All right.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Right, so... Left,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- kick!- OK, so on the first step you kick back?- Exactly.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35It reminds me of the four corners of the box.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- The four corners of the box, exactly.- OK.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- Right, left, right, left... - Kick!
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- THEY LAUGH - Right, left... Kick!
0:08:42 > 0:08:44I'm excited, I really am!
0:08:44 > 0:08:45- It's getting there!- Yeah!
0:08:45 > 0:08:49There's a big smile on his face, that's the most important thing!
0:08:49 > 0:08:52The next step we're going to learn is the samba sequence.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54OK.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56- You're going to step your right foot...
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- Right foot back.- Looks tricky. - Left foot.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- Right foot again.- Right foot again. - Left and turn.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Oh, OK, OK, this one's interesting, OK!
0:09:04 > 0:09:07So, right foot, left foot, left foot and turn again!
0:09:07 > 0:09:08And your hat!
0:09:08 > 0:09:13And your hat again. She seems to be doing it quicker, can we speed up?
0:09:13 > 0:09:14Five, six, seven, eight -
0:09:14 > 0:09:15One, two, three, four,
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- five, six...- Nice! I like that! - Not bad! It's nearly there!
0:09:20 > 0:09:23SAMBA DRUMMING
0:09:35 > 0:09:37APPLAUSE
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Nice! I'm feeling the groove! How was that compared to my box step?
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Very good, you're definitely getting that Brazilian xinga.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48I love that word, "xinga"! What's the next step?
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Your next step, you're going to try to learn the basic samba.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54- The basic samba, OK.- Exactly.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- So, basically, you move your hips first.- OK, start with my hips first.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02The rhythm is one, two, one, two.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05TOGETHER: One, two, one, two.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08If you think about the rhythm, it's a double-time there.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- One, two, one, two... - TOGETHER: One, two, one, two...
0:10:12 > 0:10:13- Basically...- Move your feet.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16I'm basically swinging my hips from left to right
0:10:16 > 0:10:20and moving my feet at the same time. Julia's doing it quickly,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- can we try and speed it up? - Shall we?
0:10:22 > 0:10:23Five, six, seven, eight.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25One, two...
0:10:25 > 0:10:26HE LAUGHS
0:10:26 > 0:10:29What do I need to remember?
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Just keep my body straight, or...?
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- Just remember the beats.- OK.- One, two, one, two, one, two, one, two.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38OK, think of the beat. One, two, three, four,
0:10:38 > 0:10:40one, two... D'you know what, I love this!
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Now, it's time for the moment of truth.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46He's looking forward to it, he's got a big smile on his face.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Alongside the London School Of Samba, it's Andy Akinwolere! Take it away!
0:10:50 > 0:10:52SAMBA DRUMMING
0:11:34 > 0:11:36CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:11:42 > 0:11:44ALL: Well, saal mubarak!
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Which means Happy Diwali!
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Diwali is celebrated by Hindus all over the world.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52It's like New Year celebrations,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55when families and friends get together.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59There are firework displays, parties, presents
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- and fabulous feasts. - Diwali means "Festival of Light",
0:12:02 > 0:12:05so Hindus light "diwas", or candles, around their homes
0:12:05 > 0:12:07to celebrate the safe return of Lord Rama
0:12:07 > 0:12:09after rescuing his wife Sita
0:12:09 > 0:12:13from Ravana, the ten-headed demon.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Rangoli patterns are placed on the doorsteps of homes
0:12:16 > 0:12:19to welcome happiness and good fortune.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22TRADITIONAL INDIAN MUSIC
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- APPLAUSE - So, why are you dancing with sticks?
0:13:03 > 0:13:06The gods Radha and Krishna, they used to play with it
0:13:06 > 0:13:11and it's a tradition that's been carried on since then.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13It can't just be girls that do this...
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Nope, anyone any age can do it.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Can I have a pair of sticks and have a go?- Yep.- Lovely.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- Show us what to do. - Hold it in the middle.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- GIRLS: Then twirl it round your head. - OK.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Yeah, like that.- Right. - GIRLS: Remember to hop.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29So, we'll start up here. We'll have a bit of music
0:13:29 > 0:13:32and see how we get on, cos I did have a little practice earlier.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34INDIAN MUSIC
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Oh, here we go, look at this...
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Forgot a little bit there, but guys, what did you think to that?
0:13:47 > 0:13:50Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:13:50 > 0:13:53E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk