Variations on the Croatian Folk Dance: Raca Plava

Raca Plava translated literally means "blue duck." The lyrics are peculiar when translated from Croatian. The song is about a man who is in love with a woman who steps off a boat. He recognizes her by her distinctive walk and wants to marry her.  The refrain is "this year the roses will bloom."

The link to the song provides Croatian lyrics with a German translation.

Raca Plava is very popular in folk dance circles. I know of two variations: Video #1 is the version taught by Yves Moreau and the one that our dance group uses.



Video#2 is a simplified variation performed by the Tanzgruppe Baeckerstrasse, from Vienna, Austria.  Like the Israeli Dunav group, they have many folk dance videos posted on YouTube.  Most of them were posted in the early 2000's.  The group used to have a web site; but they may have disbanded since I can no longer find it.



Video #3 is a funky version of Raca Plava.  The kids in the foreground dance it freestyle, along with the singers.



If you enjoyed this you may also like:

Crazy Croatian Dance Songs


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Dancing in Elevens

Why do we believe that in all matters the odd numbers are more powerful?
Pliny the Elder

Odd number rhythms are prevalent in Balkan dance. Today's post features dances in 11/8 and 11/16 (the 11/16 is faster).

Video #1 is the dance Isu Bialo Nedo.  This is a slow 11/8.  The rhythm isn't obvious, but if you listen carefully it's there.



Video #2 is the familiar Boris Karlov version of Gankino Horo. This dance uses the basic kopanitsa step.  The rhythm is a fast 11/16 and a lot less subtle than in Video #1.



Video #3 is a dressed-up Thracian Kopanitsa. It starts with a slow, synchronized walk, then a running step that reminds me of the dance Jove Male Mome followed with some fancy footwork.  The dancers make it look easy. The rhythm is 11/16.



If you enjoyed this you may also like:

Dances to Music Arranged by Boris Karlov

Variations on the Bulgarian Folk Tune: Gankino Horo


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.