Today's post features two variations of the dance Bregovsko Horo. It is from the town of Bregovo in northwestern Bulgaria, near the borders of Romania and Serbia. The dance is fast, in 2/4 and has Vlach and Serbian elements. The flute solo (in Version #1 and Version #2sounds like a frula, a traditional Serbian musical instrument.
Our group calls Bregovsko the "One Figure Čačak". Čačak is a dance from Serbia that has migrated across borders. You can dance Sirba, a Romanian dance, to Čačak music!
Version #1 is the one more familiar to recreational folk dancers. The first time I heard it I thought it was Serbian!
Version #2 is the same music with a slight variation of the steps. The group is from Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia. If you check out their other videos, you will see they are also into English Country Dance, which is not my thing. I know a number of people who are into both Balkan dance as well as English country.
Version #3 is the same choreography as Version #1, to different music. I like the exuberance in this group. The dancers are from Sofia, Bulgaria.
We need creativity in order to break free from the temporary structures that have been set up by a particular sequence of experience.
Edward de Bono
What I have found fascinating in the world of folk dance is the concept of "the different village." In the "different village", the dance is performed in a different manner than the way we were taught. Choreography is not a static entity, and variations make it interesting and more challenging.
Today's dance variations are of Kutsata, from the Bulgarian region of Dobrudja. It is a rachenitsa (the national dance of Bulgaria) and in the time signature of 7/8 or 7/16 (depending on the speed).
Kutsata translates into "the cuckoo" in English via Google Translate. A lady on Facebook pointed out that Google Translate was incorrect; that the name of the dance is derived from kutsam (to limp). Thanks for the feedback!
The dances of Dobrudja are known for their "heaviness", stamps and strong arm movements.
Video #1 features dancers in elaborate embroidered costumes, accompanied by live music (accordion, tupan and gaida).
Video #2 is performed by the dance club 7/8. They named themselves after the time signature that is common to the folk dances rachenitsa, lesnoto, and chetvorno. The difference is the grouping of the beats; rachenitsa is apple-apple-pineapple; lesnoto and chetvorno are pineapple-apple-apple.
This is a different choreography from Video #1, to different music.
Video #3 is of a dance class practicing another version of Kutsata, with stamps, arm waving, and knee bends in true Dobrudjan style.
Video #4 is a dance related to Kutsata. The music is the same as in Video #1, but the dance is listed as Панделаж (Pandelas).
Mine is a proud village, such as it is. We are best when dancing. - Makah
Today's featured dance is Joc Batranesc from the village of Niculitel, in Romanian Dobrogea. There is also a region in Bulgaria with a similar name, slightly different spelling: Dobrujda. Both have one thing in common: they share the region between the Danube and the Black Sea.
Joc Batranesc translates into English as "ancient dance," but as you will see, it is not just for senior citizens:) The dance also has different spellings, some with and without diacritical marks; and sometimes an "i" substitutes for the "a". The Romanian spelling with the diacriticals is Joc bătrânesc.
Video #1 shows the dance as it is done in the United States. Why do they go "oooh" when they move to the center of the circle? This variation must be particular to their "village."
Video #2 features a costumed group of young people from Romania. Notice that their belts are the same colors as the Romanian flag. Although this is essentially the same dance as in video #1, there are variations in style (hops and sways). These dancers don't vocalize, all you hear are the stamps and the music.
Who is the girl in the middle and why isn't she part of the dance? My guess is that this is their "village" variation; along with the fancy moves.
This group is a pleasure to watch, with an a attractive and charismatic leader. That girl knows her stuff.
Video #3 has the song that goes with the dance; the ensemble is from the village of Niculitel. There are two other dances in the video that follow Joc Batranesc. The first rhythm change is at 2:57 where the music turns into Sârba, a fast dance in 6/8. At 5:18 there's another rhythm change, this time it's Cadâneasca, in 9/16, a dance similar to Daichovo Horofrom Bulgaria.
If you love Balkan music and dance you have come to the right place! The Alien Diaries began in February 2010 and is updated at least twice a month.
This blog is dedicated to the memory of my cat Fatso (see avatar), who passed away on April 9, 2011 from congestive heart failure. He was the inspiration for several of my early posts.
Don't forget to check out my second blog, Light and Shadow, for some humor, satire, photos and poetry!
