The Shells of Raining

The Shells of Raining is a sacred group dance originating in The Lilac of Praise. The form guides dancers during improvised performances. The dance is accompanied by any composition of The Jump of Butterflies as the dancers act out any composition of The Bud of Wind. The dancers perform in a circle, moving to the music's arazi rhythm. This dance is a refined artform, with four special positions to be mastered. The entire dance has a basic movement called the thiwa. There is a series of eight steps in a figure-eight pattern. The dance is punctuated by loudly percussive leaps and spirited counterclockwise quarter turns.

• The dance begins with the passage of the music. The dancers perform very slowly with the music. This fluid section is punctuated by graceful spins and subtle facial expressions.
• The dance enters a new section with the bridge-passage of the music. The dancers perform quickly with the music. This weightless powerful section is punctuated by crude independent body movement.
• The dance enters a new section with the finale of the music. The dancers perform slower and slower with the music. This strong flamboyant section is punctuated by joyous right kicks and lively independent body movement, with movement performed in succession by group members.
• The ereni is one of the fundamental dance positions. There should be a low body level.
• The fecaci is one of the fundamental dance positions. There should be a spirited hand gesture with an expressive raised left arm.
• The niriwa is one of the fundamental dance positions. There should be an aggressive leftward bend.
• The medo is one of the fundamental dance positions. There should be a joyous facial expression with a joyous hand gesture shadowed by group members and a grotesque rightward bend.

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