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Balkan folk dance index
Balkan folk dances
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Kak Po Logu [Russia]
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For A Birthday [Hungary]
Hungarian birthday dance from Andor Czompo.
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Cetvorka Ladana [Serbia]
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Vlasko Serbsko [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Sigma [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Signa [Northwest Bulgaria]
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Izruchana [Northwest Bulgaria]
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Sitno Severnjasko Horo [North Bulgaria]
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Na Purt [North Bulgaria]
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Danubian Horo [North Bulgaria]
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Cesta Krivica [North Bulgaria]
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Deverovo [Macedonia]
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Tin Tin Tini Mini Hanim [Kurdish, Turkey]
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Iste Hendik [Turkey]
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Kendime [Turkey]
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Zeybekiko [Greece]
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Tis Avitsas [Greek, Pontian]
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Ti Se Meli Esena [Greek, Asia Minor]
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Dari Dari [Greek Islands]
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Zagorisios [Epirus, Greece]
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Bazarkana [Epirus, Greece]
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Chala Chala [Pontian, Greece]
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Daliana [Thessaly, Greece]
Daliana is a Karagouniko women's dance in Tsamiko rhythm. The same song is use by other inhabitants of Thesslia to dance Tsamiko.
The Karagounides, literaly black cloaks in Turco-Greek and Serbian, refers to the black cloaks worn by the Vlachs of Serbia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, and northern Greece. Some of these Vlachs migrated to Hercegovina and Dalmatia, where they became known as Morovlah, meaning sea or coastal Vlach. The ones that stayed in Thessaly became farmers and their dances are characterized by a steady, pulsating rhythm.
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Despo [Sarakatsani, Greece]
Despo is a lovely Sarakatsani women's dance from Greece.
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Dimitroula [Roumlouki, Greek Macedonia]
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Dipat [Pontian, Greece]
The first song is I kor Epigen so Parhar ("A girl went to the field"). In some places, the song is known as "Romana", and the singers improvise words.
The second song, Ela Ela Leose, by a Turkish singer, is one of our favorite versions for Dipat.
The music has a 9/8 rhythm with a 2 3 2 2 structure. Dipat is danced to it on a 2 2 2 3 rhythm, making it hard to know when to start the dance.
One way is to count 1, 2 (quick-slow) and start dancing on the THIRD beat. Another way is to start dancing on the "pi" in "epigen"; if you practice starting with the vocals, eventually you will be able to "feel" when to start with the instrumental.
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Eleno Mome [Greek Macedonia]
Eleno Mome is a Bulgarian dance with unclear regional roots that has become popular in other countries as well. While it's only a best guess, the dance seems to have originated in the north and today it is danced all over Bulgaria.
According to Joe Graziozi, the Greek version is found mostly in the northern parts of the province of Macedonia from Florina-Kastoria in the west to Drama in the east. Interestingly, it is not danced in Greek Thrace nor among the Greeks of Bulgaria who resettled throughout Macedonia and Thessaly in the 1920s but is primarily associated with the (former) slavic Macedonian villages of these regions. It has become a standard among most dance troupes throughout the country. There are numerous recordings, all instrumental, performed by local bands throughout Macedonia, from brass to zourna to gaida to lyra & dahare.
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Etere [Pontian Greece]
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Gaitanaki Rodou [Dodecanese Islands, Greece]
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Halay [Pontian, Greece]
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Ikariotikos [Aegean Islands, Greece]
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Isvoros [Thessaloniki, Greece]
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Izmir Sirtosu [Greek, Asia Minor]
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Kalon Korits [Pontian Greece]
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Karagouna [Thessaly, Greece]
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Katsa [Sarakatsani, Greece]
Katsa is a Sarakatsani dance for men and women. The men and women dance separately, with different styles.
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Kavodoritiko [Aegean Islands, Greece]
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Kotsari [Pontian, Greece]
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Kuluriastos [Evros - Thraki, Greece]
Kuluriastos is a Greek dance from Thraki (Thrace). It has a slower Zonoradikos part, and a faster part where the beginning of the line loops into the center and back out again. It's a lot of fun to dance this, especially if you are near the beginning of the line.
As with many Greek dances, it can be danced to many songs. This one is Pses idia st'oniro mu.
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Levendikos [Greek Macedonia]
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Maleviziotikos Horos [Crete, Greece]
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Militsa [Pontian, Greece]
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Pidihtos Rodhos [Dodecanese Islands, Greece]
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Plataniotiko Nero Syrtos [Aegean Islands, Greece]
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Pusteno [Macedonia/Greek Macedonia]
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Raiko [Greek Macedonia]
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Rododachtilos [Asia Minor, Greece]
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Sampson [Pontian, Greece]
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Sfarlis [Thraki, Greece]
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Siganos and Pentozalis [Crete, Greece]
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Sousta Naxou [Greece, Islands]
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Sta Dyo [Epirus, Greece]
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Sta Tria (Pera, Ston Pera Machala) [Thessaly, Greece]
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Syrtos [Greece]
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Syrto Bafra (Omali) [Pontian Greece]
Also known as Omali, in the Kerasounta/Giresun region, this dance is called Syrto, Karshilidiko Omal, Lakhana (after the name of the song, which means cabbage), Kerasountaiko or Kotsikton Omal.
It is a 9/8 rhythm and bears no resemblance to what we usually call Syrto, which is usually either a 7/8 (kalamatiano) or 8/8 rhythm. In this case, the name most likely refers to the style, what we call dragging dances.
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Syrtos (Chalkidiki) [Greek Macedonia, Greece]
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Syrtos (Chios) [Aegean Islands, Greece]
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Tai Tai [Thessaly, Greece]
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Tessera Matia Dhio Kardies [Greece, Asia Minor]
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Tik [Pontian Greece]
Tik ("upright") is the most common Pontian dance, found all over Pontos. Tik can be danced to different rhythms of music. This non-traditional version is in 5/8 rhythm. When danced to fast music, the dance is called Tik Tromachton (Jumping Tik).
This special version of Tik is called Tik Mihalis, by Mihalis Kaliontzidis.
CD - Vas 031 is produced by the Vasipap record company.
You can also buy it online from Greek City.
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Trigona [Pontian Greece]
In Greece the same dance can often be found under different names in different area, or as a totally different dance under the same name.
Trigona, a popular dance from all over Pontos, is a good example of how a dance retains its identity from region to region, while adapting itself to regional styles:
- Trigona from Ghourouh in the Kars area is in 5/8 rhytm, played with the Lyra/Kemenche.
- Trigona from Matsouka is in 7/8 rhythm, played with the Kouloum (bagpipe) and singing.
- Trigona from Trapzon (Trepizond) in 2/4, played with Lyra and singing. Trigona from Trapzon is the most common version and it is the one you'll hear the most often in Pontian clubs.
There are slight differences in the arm movements between the regions. In Matsouka it is danced with a bigger movement of the body.
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Troiro [Thrace, Greece]
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Tsestos [Thrace, Greece]
This is a challenging dance is from the Romilia Region, next to the Bulgarian border. It was probably brought by Greeks who were expelled from Bulgaria after the first world war. It was first taught to us by Serge Ben Simon, and again by Kyriakos Moisidis.
The second version is called Rantile.
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Vasilarhontissa [Epirus, Greece]
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Chorepste (Vlacha)[Cyclades Islands, Greece]
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Zaiko [Greek Macedonia]
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Zaramo [Greek Macedonia]
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Zonaradikos [Thraki, Greece]
This Zonaradikos, Tin Kardia M'tin Klithomeni (My locked up heart), is a love song from Greece. Many dances, but Greek dances in particular, are danced to more than one melody. The rhythm on this song is typical for dancing Zonaradiko from the region of eastern Thrace.
The name “Zonaradiko” comes from the way the men hold one another by their belts (zoni).
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Zvarniara [Thessaly, Greece]
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Ajsino Oro [Albania]
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Ani More Nuse [Albania]
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Halle e Madhe [Albania]
Halle e Madhe is a Cocek from either the Malesi e Madhe region in Albania or from nearby in Kosovo.
Halle e Madhe was recorded by the As you are Bulgarian Band, please contact them directly for information on how to buy the CD.
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Moj Mara, Moj Marine [Albania]
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Sa Gjijile [Albania]
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Petrunino [Sopluk, Bulgaria]
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Dvazdi Trizdi [Rhodopes, Bulgaria]
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Krucmarsko [Bulgaria]
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Danets [Dobrudza, Bulgaria]
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Ludo Mlado [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Aj Da Idem Jano [Pirin, Bulgaria]
Aj Da Idem Jano is a dance from the Pirin region of Bulgaria. There seem to be a few versions of it but we learned ours from Boris Dimitrov of Balkanfolk.
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Ajde Razbole Se [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Balutsa [Northwest Bulgaria]
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Bobovdolsko Horo [Sopluk, Bulgaria]
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Bulcenska Racenica [Bulgaria]
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Celebinsko [Trakia, Bulgaria]
Celebinsko is a choreography by Belco Stanev with great music in an interesting meter. It's 9/8 divided : 2 3 2 2. In the vocal part, the steps are exactly on the meter: QSQQ, but in the instrumental refrain, half a bar is added 2 3 (QS). The steps are in 2 2 2 3 (QQQS) and the missing half bar 2 2 (QQ) is added at the end so that is missing (mathematically).
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Dobrudzanska Reka [Dobrudza, Bulgaria]
A fantastic version of Dobrudzanska Reka that someone shared with us. It's a very typical melody from Drobrudza that sounds like many others but we are just dancing a simple reka to it.
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Eleno Mome [Bulgaria]
Eleno Mome is a Bulgarian dance with unclear regional roots that has become popular in other countries as well. While it's only a best guess, the dance seems to have originated in the north and today it is danced all over Bulgaria.
According to Joe Graziozi, the Greek version is found mostly in the northern parts of the province of Macedonia from Florina-Kastoria in the west to Drama in the east. Interestingly, it is not danced in Greek Thrace nor among the Greeks of Bulgaria who resettled throughout Macedonia and Thessaly in the 1920s but is primarily associated with the (former) slavic Macedonian villages of these regions. It has become a standard among most dance troupes throughout the country. There are numerous recordings, all instrumental, performed by local bands throughout Macedonia, from brass to zourna to gaida to lyra & dahare.
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Eski [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Gankino Horo [North Bulgaria]
Gankino (Ganka's dance) seems to be used mostly in Northern Bulgaria (N.W. and North Central). The basic Gankino Horo is a three-measure dance using the step structure also common in the dances: Dunavsko (Danubian Pravo), Povarnoto (also known as Devetorka in Macedonia) and Eleno Mome.
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Gergana [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Graovsko Horo [Sopluk, Bulgaria]
Graovsko is a Bulgarian Shope dance from the "Sitno Shopsko" family of dances, of which Graovsko in 2/4 and Kyustendilska Racenica in 7/16 are the most familiar examples.
Similar dances can be found in the Shope regions of Macedonia (Shopkata, Berovka) and Serbia (Pesacka).
10 measures, the running sequence, and the "suprise" movements are common signature features of Shope dances.
The second version is a rendition by Raquy and the Cavemen.
The third version is a modern melody for Kyustendilska Racenica, which for some folk dancers, is a completely different dance.
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Ihitimanska Kopanica [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Izgrala E Mesecinka [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Jampolsko Pajdusko [Trakia, Bulgaria]
Pajdusko/Paidushko/Baidushka, etc. is a family of dances usually danced to 5/16 or 5/8 (Q S) rhythm and found in a large area spanning Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Greece, and beyond. It is the classic aksak (Turkish for limping) dance and rhythm. Its various forms reflect local preferences. This one is from the Jambol region in Trakia, and was first introduced in the States by Dick Crum.
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Jove Malaj Mome [Sopluk, Bulgaria]
Jove Malaj Mome is a Shope dance from Bulgaria in 18/16 meter with alternating bars of 7+11. For dancers, the count is
1& 23 123& 45 or SQQ-QQSQQ. This is a great version of the music, with singing, from the highly recommended Best of Nama CD. -
Jove [Sopluk, Bulgaria]
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Kalipetrovo (Reka) [Dobrudza, Bulgaria]
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Kasapsko Horo [North Bulgaria]
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Kate Licno Devoishe [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Katerino Mome [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Kopanica from Gabra [Sopluk, Bulgaria]
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Kopanica Gankino [Sopluk, Bulgaria]
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Krivo Sadovsko Horo [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Kukuvicka [Bulgaria]
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Kumovo Horo [Bulgaria]
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Kulskoto (Arap) [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Liljano Mome [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Lukovitsko Horo [north, Bulgaria]
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Mizijsko Horo [North Bulgaria]
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More Sokol Pie [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Na Megdana [Pirin, Bulgaria]
Na Megdana is a classic, famous medley of songs and music used for a set of dances originally performed by the Ensemble "Pirin" of Blagoevgrad. The music was arranged by Prof. Kiril Stefanov and the choreography was created by Kiril Djenev. The songs are in Pirin dialect. The words for Aj da idem, Jano were provided to us by Boris Dimitrov from Balkanfolk.
- Aj da idem, Jano
- Kitchitse
- Sednala e Jano
- Gelemino Mome le Jubava
- dance with zurna and tapan accompaniment, used by Yves Moreau for the dance Razlozhko
- O Jano, Jano Mori
- Kitchitse to the end of the medley
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Narodno Horo [Bulgaria]
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Ne Pribirai Mila [Pirin Bulgaria]
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Ograzdensko Horo [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Opas [Bulgaria, Dobrudza]
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Oriahovsko Vlasko [Northwest Bulgaria]
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Pazardijska Kopanica [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Perniska Kopanica [Sopluk, Bulgaria]
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Pavle Mi Pie (Petricko Horo) [Pirin, Bulgaria]
Petricko Horo is a Bulgarian dance from Pirin that is one of our favorites. The song that we dance it to, Pavle Mi Pie, is a well known song. You can see a live performance of it on YouTube.
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Pitat Me Mamo [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Pravo Horo [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Pravo Trakisko Icapras [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Reka [Dobrudza, Bulgaria]
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Sborenka [Dobrudza, Bulgaria]
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Sedi Donka [Trakia, Bulgaria]
One of the most unusal musical patterns in Bulgaria, Sedi Donka is in 25/16 meters: 1& 2 3 1& 2 3 1 2 3& 4 5. This music is from Boris Dimitrov from Balkanfolk.
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Shopsko Horo [Bulgaria]
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Sirto [Pirin, Bulgaria]
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Sitnata [North Bulgaria]
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Sitno Vlasko (Vidinkso) [Northwest Bulgaria]
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Stano Stanke [Bulgaria]
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Talima [Dobrudza, Bulgaria]
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Tervelska Sborenka [Dobrudza, Bulgaria]
Sborenka is the generic, family name for a certain type of dance commonly found in Dobrudja, like Reka and Tropanka. This dance, like many others, is named after the region it is from: Tervelska Sborenka (Sborenka from Tervel). The music is a recording of Stefan Georgiev playing the accordion.
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Trakijska Racenica [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Triti Pati [Trakia, Bulgaria]
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Veselinovo Horo [North Bulgaria]
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Zizaj Nane (Daicovo Horo) [North Bulgaria]
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Hop Zica Zica [Croatia]
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Moja Dir Dika [Croatia]
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Raca Plava [Croatia]
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Slavonsko Kolo [Croatia]
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Sokacko Kolo [Croatia]
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Kevi Csardas [Hungary]
Hungarian couple's dance that was introduced by Andor Czompo.
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Csardas Es Friss [Paloc, Hungary]
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Dunatuli Ugros [Dunatul, Hungary]
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Egy Pár Tánc Mezöségröl [Mesosegi, Hungary]
The dance is called Egy Pár Tánc Mezöségröl (a couple's dance from Mezoseg. The song, "Én az éjjel nem aludtam egy órát" (tonight I couldn't sleep a wink...), is well known all over Hungary and the Hungarian population of Transylvania. The music is from the Muzsikas with Marta Sebestyen CD.
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Jatekos Lakodalmi Tancok [Hungary]
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Kapuvari Verbunk [Gyõr-Moson-Sopron, Hungary]
Kapuvari Verbunk is a recruiting dance from the town of Kapuvar in the Gyõr-Moson-Sopron region of northwest Hungary. It was originally introduced by Alice Reisz in the early 1950's and again in the 1970's by Andor Czompo, Csaba Palfi, and Kalman Magyar. In-between, there were other versions, including one from Andor, but all of the versions from the 1970's were closer to the original.
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Kezes [Hungary]
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Kortanc [Hungary]
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Lassu Sergo [Hungary]
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Legenyes [Kalotazeg, Hungary]
Legenyes is a "lad's dance" from the Kalotaszeg in Transylvania, Romania, although older men may also dance it. You don't sing to it, but you *do* shout verses (called csujugotasok) to it. Before, or sometimes after, the couple's dance, the lads get up and, one by one, show off their rhythmic capabilities in front of the band, while women hook arms and stand in short lines and shout verses of encouragement or teasing insult or downright bawdiness! Sometimes the women turn in a very fast rida, first right for a while, then left, then right again, (3 turns total, always!) then stop and open up the circle to face whatever guy is doing his little show. They also do the shouts while turning. Each region has its own style, with its own dance figures, and calls.
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Mahala [Romani, Hungary]
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Mezosegi Tancok [Hungary]
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Ne Felj Lanyom [Hungary]
A wonderful Hungarian dance from Steve Katonsky, Ne Felj Lanyom. Andrew Carnie has uploaded the steps and lyrics.
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Olahos [Hungary]
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Paloc Tancok [Hungary]
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Sarkozi Karikazo [Dunatul, Hungary]
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Somogyi Karikazo [Somogy, Hungary]
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Szatmari Csardas [Szatmar, Hungary]
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Szatmari Karikazo [Szatmar, Hungary]
A karikazo is typically a girls dance that was done to the girls' singing without instrumental accompaniment. If you've been dancing for a while you may remember this one from way back. The recording is an instrumental piece and the music is very fast, or at least it seems that way when you are trying to get your feet to make all those patterns on the floor in time to the music.
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Szegeuyes [Hungary]
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Ugros [Hungary]
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Arap [Macedonia]
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Bajrace (Zensko Berance) [Macedonia]
Bajrace or Zensko Berance is woman's dance from the western part of the Kostur area in what is now Greek Macedonia. It has an unusual rhythm - 12/8, 12/16/ or 18/16 depending on who you ask.
Originally called Bajrace, the name of this dance was later changed to Zensko Berance by Pece Atanasovski. Zensko means woman's, and Berance comes from the word Berat, which is a major city in Albania. So it means "Like a dance from Berat" or "The Berat Dance".
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Banjsko [Macedonia]
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Berovka [Berovo, Macedonia]
Berovka takes its name from the town of Berovo in eastern Macedonia.
According to Mihailo Dimoski, Stanimir Visinski, and Elsie Dunin in their book Makedonski Narodni Plesovi, the dance was learned from a group of women from the village of Rusino, near Berovo, at a festival in Skopje, 1948.
It is also danced in the area of Pehčavo and Delčevo. It's a women's dance, danced in an open circle or line with the leader on the right end.
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Cije E Ona Mome [Macedonia]
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Dafino Vino [Krusevo, Macedonia]
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Dedo Mili Dedo [Macedonia]
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Devetorka [Macedonia]
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Duce Duce [Macedonia]
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Ferusko [Macedonia]
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Gurga Pere [East Macedonia]
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Imate Li Vino [Macedonia]
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Ivanica [Macedonia]
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Jovano Jovanke [Macedonia]
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Kasapsko Oro [Macedonia]
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Kostursko Oro [Macedonia]
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Kopacka [Delcevo, Macedonia]
According to Atanas Kolarovski, when Kopacka was first introduced to Tanec by the village dancers, the original name was Sitnata (the litte one). Tanec changed the name to Kopacka and the dance subsequently became so famous that the villagers adopted this name of Kopacka for both the dance and the name of their group, to remind everyone from whence this dance originally came.
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Krstacka [Macedonia]
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Krivo Zensko [Macedonia]
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Lesnoto (Pravoto) [Macedonia]
The first song, Makedonsko Devojce is a Macedonian song composed by Jonce Hristovski (also the author of Ako Umram). It's one of the most popular tunes for dancing Lesnoto.
The second song, Nazad Nazad from Pirin, Bulgaria, is one of our favorite Macedonian melody for Lestnoto. We "discovered" it during one of our visits to the tents in Koprivshtitsa during the last festival (the tents are where the locals hang out after hours).
The third song is a popular lesnoto (pravoto) from Macedonia.
The fourth is Raspukala Šar Planina, a modern rendition of an old song from Kavadarci about what happens to three shepherds on the Šar Planina mountain range just NW of Skopje.
The last song is a famous melody from Serbia.
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Memede (Toska) [Macedonia]
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Narodno Oro [Macedonia]
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Neveno mori Nevenke [Kumanovo, Macedonia]
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Pajdusko [Macedonia]
Pajdukso (also: Paiduska, Payduska, Baiduska, Paidusca), is danced all over the Balkans. This version is by the famous Macedonian accordionist, Goran Alacki.
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Pusteno [Macedonia]
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Ramno Velesko [Macedonia]
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Ratevka [Macedonia]
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Sadilo Mome [Skopje, Macedonia]
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Sarena Gajda [Macedonia]
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Sedenka [Macedonia]
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Shopkata [Ovchepolia, Macedonia]
Shopka, or Shopkata, is a mixed Macedonian dance from the town Sveti Nicola in the Ovchepolia region in Macedonia, southwest of the Shope region in northeast Macedonia. It was brought down from the mountains by Shope people who came down to inhabit Muslum towns whose occupants migrated to Turkey. Among themselves, the dance is called Troika.
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Skopski Sa Sa [Skopje, Macedonia]
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Staro Makedonsko Oro [Macedonia]
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Strumicka Petorka [Macedonia]
Strumicka Petorka is a dance in the Macedonian style arranged by Bora Gajicki and inspired by a recording of the same name composed by Nikola Stefanov released on a Zagreb-based Jugoton LP. The piece is named either after the eastern Macedonian town of Strumica or the Struma River, which winds through Pirin and eastern Vardar Macedonia.
Bora Gajicki's own Borino Orchestra recorded a cover of the Aleksandric recording, and it is one of these two recordings that are best known to international folk dancers and enthusiasts of Balkan music.
The music and dance are sometimes mistakenly classified as "Serbian" because the first widely available commercial recording happened to be by Dragan Aleksandric's orchestra, with Vilko Sedlar as the clarinetist, on an LP titled "Narodna Kola" (folk circle dances). Likewise, the cover of this piece and the arrangement of the dance was by a Serbian dancer Bora Gajicki. Nonetheless, the music was composed by a Macedonian. and the dance movements and styling is typically Macedonian.
Many if not most recordings of folk music in the Yugoslavia before its break-up were released either on the Zagreb, Croatia-based Jugoton or the Belgrade, Serbia-based RTB (Radio Television Belgrade). However, their place of production did not mean that all such music were either Croatian or Serbian. Pece Atanasovksi, the best known Macedonian gajda (bagpipe) player released his recordings on both Jugoton and RTB, but his music (and dancing) is distinctly Macedonian and typical of his home village of Dolneni near Prilep Macedonia.
Many thanks to John Kuo for the background information about this music: www.ChicagoSpringFestival.org.
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Tesko Oro [Macedonia]
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Tino Mori [Macedonia]
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Tresenica [South Macedonia]
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Vrni Se Vrni [Macedonia]
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Zensko Za Raka (Navestinsko Za Raka) [Macedonia]
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Zurli Trestat Na Sred Selo [Macedonia]
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Makedonska Gajda (Bronx Pharo) [Romani]
A Romani wedding dance from the Bronx, New York. This amazing music is by Yuri Yunakov’s Romani Wedding Band. You can get more information from Voice of Roma.
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Ciganko Horo [Romani, Bulgaria]
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Cocek [Romani]
Cocek like the Rom people was scattered across the Balkans, mostly throughout Bulgaria, Serbia, Republic of Macedonia and Romania. It emerged during the early 19th century. Popularized by Ottoman military bands, it is a variation of an old 3-measure dance-form related to the Hasapiko or Kasapsko oro. Today it is found in many parts of the Balkans and dance under a variety of names. »
This version of Usti Usti Baba the third song in the list) is sung by Slavica Pavlovic & Jovanka Ivanovskaa.
The fourth song is a Bulgarian Wedding Cocek from the Flying Tomatoes CD, Rags to Racanicas, a tune they learned from the Hungarian Roma cimbal player Kalman Balogh. The CD is currently out of print. For more information contact Tom Pixton or visit his web site.
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Ketri Ketri [Romani, Hungary]
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Merak Cocek [Romani]
Our favorite music for Merak Cocek is the Karavana Chajka from the Edessa & Friends CD. Vocals by the very talented Eva Salina Primack and her brother Luka.
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Kocanska Gaida [Romani]
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Mori Shej [Romani, Hungary]
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Opa Tsupa
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Indijski Cocek [Romani]
Three versions of music for Indijski Cocek. The first is Petrichko Horo from the very talented Rumen Shopov. It's from his "Soul of the Mahala" CD that was produced by Voice of Roma.
The second is Na Khelav Na Gilvav, by the Zlatne Uste band. We've nicknamed it "Hava Nagila" and now no one remembers the real name.
The third, Rakija i cigari (Rakija and cigarettes,) is a modern Macedonian song by composer Chris Bajmakovich, performed by Balkan Cabaret, with lead vocals by Mary Sherhart.
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Rumelaj(Jeni Jol) [Romani, Macedonia]
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Sa From Bujanovac [Romani]
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Floricica Olteneasca [Oltenia, Romania]
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Hora Boreasca [Oltenia, Romania]
Romanian dance from Oltenia that we learned from our dance seminar with Camelia and Nelutu Motoc.
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Alunelul [Romania]
According to www.eliznik.org.uk, Alunelul is found across the whole of southern Romania (other names Ca la balta). The many variants use similar motifs of single and double crossing steps and stamping patterns. The same dance is found in both Greece and Bulgaria under different names.
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Alunelul De La Goicea [Oltenia, Romania]
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Alunelul De La Izbiceni [Muntenia, Romania]
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Arcanul [Moldavia, Romania]
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Arcanul Batrinesc [Moldavia, Romania]
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Baiteneasca [Moldavia, Romania]
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Batrineasca Din Bocovina [Moldavia, Romania]
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Batuta [Moldavia, Romania]
Batuta is a actually a family of dances with many versions. It is typical of south Moldavia and Dobrogea in Romania.
In Koprivshtitsa, on the Northwest Bulgarian stages (i.e., Montana and Vidin), you can find Bulgarian groups wearing costumes that look Romanian, dancing dances such as Batuta, Rata/Raca, and Calusar to tunes that sound Romanian. But in Bulgaria, they are Bulgarian dances!
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Batuta Munteneasca [Muntenia, Romania]
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Bota [Transylvania, Romania]
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Briul de la Fagarash [Transylvania, Romania]
Briul de la Fagarash is a Romanian dance from Brasov in south Transylvania. By the time it arrived in Israel, it had undergone active folklore, and emerged as such an advanced dance that we rarely dance it anymore. It's a shame because the music is outstanding and the actual dance is not nearly as difficult as the one that we created from it.
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Calusari [Oltenia, Romania]
Calusari is an old ritual dance from Oltennia, in south Romania. More »
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Coragheasca De La Gircina [Moldava, Romania]
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De a Lungul [Transylvania, Romania]
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De Beut Din Hoteni [Transylvania, Romania]
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De Doi Din Banat [Banat, Romania]
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Dianca Din Dolj [Oltenia, Romania]
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Fecioreasca Fetelor Din Crihalma [Transylvania, Romania]
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Galaonul De La Birca [Oltenia, Romania]
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Hodoreaga de la Fagarash [Transylvania, Romania]
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Hora Cimpulungului [Moldavia, Romania]
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Hora De La Munte [Moldavia, Romania]
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Hora De Langesti [Romania]
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Hora Din Caval [Romania]
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Hora Moldoveneasca [Moldava, Romania]
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Hora Din Negotin [Vlach, Romania]
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Hora Mare [Romania]
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Hora Mare Bucovineana [Bukovina, Romania]
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Hora Nunilor Mari [Romania]
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Hora Pe Loc [Moldavia, Romania]
A fun dance from the Moldavia region in Romania, Hora Pe Loc has 10 parts, each slightly different than the one before it. Oh, and every once in a while, there's an extra stamp. None of the parts are hard, it's just a challenge to keep them in order and to remember where the extra stamps come in.
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Hora Lui Dobrica [Moldavia, Romania]
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Hora Satului [Romania]
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Jiana [Transylvania, Romania]
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Jiana Veche [Transylvania, Romania]
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Joc Din Slatina [Vlach, Romania]
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Joc In Patru [Transylvania, Romania]
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Jocul De A Lungul [Transylvania, Romania]
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Murguletul de la Petresti [Muntenia, Romania]
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Oas Dance [Transylvania, Romania]
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Paidusca De La Stejaru [Romania]
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Perinita [Romania]
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Polobocul [Moldavia, Romania]
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Poloxia Ca La Goica [Oltenia, Romania]
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Rata [Moldavia, Romania]
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Rustemul [Oltenia, Romania]
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Salajan [Transylvania, Romania]
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Sirba [Romania]
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Sirba Calusereasca [Oltenia, Romania]
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Sirba Olteneasca [Oltenia, Romania]
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Sirba Pe Loc [Oltenia, Romania]
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Sirba Sita Buzalilui [Transylvania, Romania]
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Siriul [Muntenia, Romania]
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Strigat [Romania]
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Trei Pazeste De La Bistret [Oltenia, Romania]
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Trei Pazeste De La Dolj [Oltenia, Romania]
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Zdroboleanca [Romania, Muntenia]
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Deli Agus [Gnjilane, Kosovo]
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Ajde Jano [Kosovo, Serbia]
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Bigrenicko Kolo [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Cacak [Serbia]
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Cicino Kolo [Central Serbia]
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Ciganski Orijent [Serbia]
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Gnjilane [Kosovo]
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Gnjilanski Cacak [Gnilane, Kosovo]
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Gori More [Serbia]
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Hajducko Kolo [Serbia]
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Jelo Jelena [Sumadija, Serbia]
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Juta [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Kokonjeste [Serbia]
Kokonješte or Kokonješće is one of the "classic" dances of Yugoslavia. It was a favorite of turn-of-the-century ballrooms as well as village churchyards; by 1900 it had attained sufficient popularity among Serbs living in the Austro-Hungarian Empire (Vojvodina) that by the 1920's it had been transplanted to the U.S. and Canada by immigrants from that area. »
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Kolo (U Sest [Serbia]
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Kolubarski Vez [Western Serbia]
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Kolumbarka [Serbia]
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Kopacka (Serbian)
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Krushevjanka Kolo [Serbia]
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Leskovacka Cetvorka [Leskovac, Serbia]
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Ljiljanino Kolo [Serbia]
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Malo Vlasko Kolo [Serbia]
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Medeno Kolo [Serbia]
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Metovincanka Kolo [East Serbia]
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Moravsko Kolo [Serbia]
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Narodna Kola [Serbia]
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Niska Banja (Duj Duj) [Vranja, Serbia]
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Opsa [Serbia]
Opsa, a cute little Serbian number from the Milwaukee based Sloboda Orkestar.
Support the artists who make Dunav possible by ordering one of their CDs.
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Poskok [Western Serbia]
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Preplet [Sumadija, Serbia]
Preplet is a fixed U Sest pattern dance from Serbia with typical styling of the Sumadija region. More »
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Raca [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Retko Kolo [Serbia]
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Ripna Maca [Shope, East Serbia]
Ripna Maca is a Shope dance with versions from both Bulgaria and Serbia. The popular choreography, with the "slow-quick-quick" rhythm typical to the Cetvorno family of dances, was introduced in the 50s by Dick Crum. More »
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Rokoko Kolo [Vojvodina, Serbia]
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Ropota [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Rumenka [Studenica, Serbia]
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Ruzmarin [Serbia]
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Serbian Medley [Sumadija, Serbia]
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Setnja (Seta) [Sumadija, Serbia]
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Stara Sapcanka [Macva, Serbia]
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Stara Vlajna [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Staro Oro [Vranje, Serbia]
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Studenica Medley [Studenica, Serbia]
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Sumadijski Cacak [Sumadija, Serbia]
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Sumadijsko Kolo [Sumadija, Serbia]
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Svrljig [Vranjsko Polja, Serbia]
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Takovski Prekid [Sumadija, Serbia]
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Tankosava [Serbia]
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U Sest [Serbia]
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Uzicka Carlama [Serbia]
Čarlama, (to strike), also known as Užička Čarlama (named after the town of Užice in Western Serbia) is yet another Balkan dance whose origins remain somewhat unclear. The dance can be seen on film performed by an amateur dance group from Užice in the classic 1948 Jadran film (now DVD) made available by Dennis Boxel. More »
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Uzicko Kolo [Serbia]
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Vlajna [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Vlajnica [Serbia, Vlaske]
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Vlasko Kolo [Vlaske, Serbia]
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Vranjanka (Sano Duso) [Vranja, Serbia]
Introduced to the music of Sano Duso by Dick Crum in the 50s, and to the music of Belo Lence by Dennis Boxell in the 60s, Vranjanka, Sano Duso, Belo Lence, and Deli Agus are all the same dance from South Serbia Vranje to Gnilane. More
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Vranjanski Cocek [Vranja, Serbia]
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Zikino Kolo [Serbia]
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Zaplanski Cacak [Sumadija, Serbia]
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Zavrzlama [Serbia]
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Guzelleme [Turkey]
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Aino Kchume [Turkish (Assyrian)]
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Cavresli [Kurdish, Turkey]
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Delilo [Turkey]
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Damat Halayi [Thrace, Turkey]
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Dostlar Bizim Halaya [Thrace, Turkey]
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Eregli Oyun Havasi [Turkey]
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Esmerim Biçim Biçim [Diyarbakir, Turkey]
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Gelin Halayi [Yozgat, Turkey]
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Gumbur [Malatya, Turkey]
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Heyamo [Turkey]
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Istanbul Kasap [Istanbul, Turkey]
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Muhtarin Oglu Ali [Trabzon, Turkey]
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Payduska [Turkey]
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Yunan Kocak [Keshan, Turkey]
