Breaza dance form
The Breaza type of dances are grouped by their syncopated quick-slow-quick-slow-slow rhythm. This musical syncopation has similarities to the Carpathian Brâul from the same region. The lively steps and bouncy style also suggest the Breaza is derived from the Carpathian shepherds dances.
The formation is varied;
- circle
- couples forming a circle
- scattered couples
- small open circle groups where the dance alternates between travelling around and the leader performing some more complex improvisations in place
Breaza dance types
These dances are found around the elbow of the Carpathians in north Muntenia, south east Transylvania and south west Moldavia. From these regions variants have diffused though the Muntenian plain, western Moldavia and Dobrogea.
- Muntenian variants are mostly known as either Breaza or Ca la Breaza after the town of this name in the Muntenian Carpathians, or Ungurica meaning Hungarian-like (Transylvania was politically associated Hungary so fashion or dance which moved across the Carpathians was often termed 'Ungareasca' for example the name of the black and white costume when it arrived in Muntenia from the Sibiu region).
- Southern Transylvanian variants can have various names such as Mocăncuţa meaning little shepherds.
- Moldavian variants in Vrancea and Gyimes are called De doi (for two) in Romanian or Kettös (two) in Hungarian. Note: this has no dance relation to the Banat dance De doi.
References
BACANU, G. (1965) Jocuri Populare din Vrancea, Centrul Creatiei populare a judeţului Galati.
BUCSAN, A. (1971) Specificul Dansului Popular Românesc, Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste România.
BUCSAN, A. (1957) Jocuri Din Ardealul De Sud, Editura de Stat.
GIURCHESCU, A (1957), Jocurile din Vrancea, Revista de Folclor Anul II nr.4, Bucuresti
GIURCHESCU, A. & BLOLAND, S. (1995) Romanian Traditional Dance, "Mill Valley, California", Wild Flower Press.