Streszczenie
Paper explores the problem of „tacit knowledge” (M. Polanyi), which is applied to the European dance tradition. Theoretical background is supplemented by chosen issues of cognitive approach to linguistics, literature and culture (G. Lakoff , M. Turner). Mythical, aesthetic and anthropological basics of Indian and Japanese performative traditions are compared to the chosen issues of religious, aesthetic and anthropological foundations of European tradition. Intercultural comparison leads to the hypothesis of two main cognitive-performative topoi and two lineages within Mediterranean performative tradition: Topos of Self-Sacrificer or the Lineage of (Organic) Passion, and Topos of Conqueror (Warrior) or the Lineage of Abstract Reason.