Criminal Justice Division Disabilities Com. The square dance is the official state folk dance of Texas. Square dancing was popularized during Texas' pioneer days as a diversion from the hardship of the times. Starry skies, barns and dirt floors often provided the backdrop for this community-wide pastime.
Square dances contain elements of dancing from many cultures.
Square dance movements include those found in Morris and Maypole dances from England, ballroom dances from France, church dances from Spain as well as the folk dances of Mexico, Ireland, Germany, Russia, Poland, Austria and Italy. Today, square dancing continues as a popular pastime involving Texans of all ages and backgrounds. More than 20,000 Texans claim membersip in more than 525 square dance clubs. The term square dancing has grown to include round, contra, cloggin, line and heritage dancing. Get Acrobat's Acrobat's Accessibility Reader for PDFs .