Final answer:
Motivational war dances are rooted in cultural traditions and historical practices, meant to inspire and invoke unity among warriors. These dances have been adapted in some modern contexts for entertainment and cultural expression, while also serving as a means of solidarity in varying societal contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Motivational war dances serve as a powerful expression of cultural identity, strength, and unity. These dances often stem from historical traditions that were originally designed to inspire warriors before battles. For instance, in the context of the Dahomey kingdom, war dances were part of an elaborate performance meant to intimidate visitors and demonstrate military prowess.
In some contemporary societies, such war dances have been adapted for modern audiences. The performance of Wodaabe ceremonial dances like the geerewol and yaake, for example, is now part of the tourism industry, which can bring income, but also raises concerns regarding cultural commodification. Similarly, African American traditions like Steppin' tie back to historical origins and serve as a strong cultural expression that can trace elements back to African roots and solidarity gestures like gumboot dancing used to unite workers of different ethnicities.
Through the synchronized and forceful movements of these dances, participants convey a message of unity, resilience, and a celebration of cultural heritage. Whether it's historical depurations like the Mycenaeans or the utilization of such rituals in night-fighting as mentioned in ancient military texts referencing signal-fires and drums, the essence of these dances is to instill vigor and a collective spirit among the participants.