Final answer:
In cultures with strict gender separation, communal dances may be gender-specific, involve separate performances for men and women, or adhere to traditional religious and societal norms. An example is the all-male symposia in ancient Greece, where female entertainers were present for the men's entertainment. Some societies also accommodate a wider range of gender expressions in their dance practices.
Step-by-step explanation:
In cultures where the sexes are kept more rigidly separated, communal dances may be practiced in specific ways that often reflect gender roles and religious or social customs. For instance, it might involve separate dances for men and women, where they dance in parallel but do not interact physically. An example of this can be seen in certain traditional societies where dancing is part of religious rituals without direct interaction between the sexes. Additionally, communal dances can be a medium to exchange news, and in some cultures, serve as a setting for arrangements like trade women to ensure genetic diversity amongst their groups.
In societies that place significant value on gender separation, women and men might also have distinct roles in dances, even if they occur within the same space. Sometimes, only one gender performs while the other watches, as a reflection of societal norms and hierarchies. Examples of such roles can be found in historical contexts; for example, in ancient Greece, during all-male drinking parties, known as symposia, female entertainers were present to dance, sing, and engage with guests, underlining the gender-specific roles in social entertainment.
It's also noteworthy, as observed by cultural anthropologist Serena Nanda, that some societies have variant-gender categories that accommodate more fluid expressions of gender and sexuality within their social and ceremonial practices, including dance.