Carpathian group dance form
These are characterised by the group dance form but exclude some elements of the the ritual stick dances, leaving the following elements;
- performed by the dancers in unison
- the dancers are not linked by hand or arm holds
- danced by a group with a leader
- starting figure of walking (plimbări), or a basic step, in a circle moving anticlockwise
- more complex figures (mişcare) performed in place between walking steps
- figures can be formed from combinations of elements, often with a a beginning-middle-end structure
These dances have developed regional variations, with the Fecioreşte of Transylvania showing the greatest range of additional influences.
Carpathian group dance types
- North Transylvanian group dances - Bărbătesc from Maramureş and Roata from Oaş. In some respects these also have links to the Carpathian Brâul in respect to the use of chain dance like shoulder hold and syncopated step sequences.
- Moldavian group dances - Trilişeşti, Ţânţăroiul, Leuşteanca, Pădureţul.
- Shepherds' dances - Ceanunul, Brânza, Siminicul.
- Fecioreşte lad's dances of Transylvania - this large and varied dance type ranges from older versions, to those with elements from the Căluşeri (De bâtă, Haidău), Austro-Hungarian boot slapping patterns (Barbunc), and Hungarian lad's dances.
Choreographic form, motifs, & music
These dances generally consist of the dancers walking around the circle in an anticlockwise direction, sometimes including syncopated stamps, and heel clicks, followed by figures using rhythmic stamping, heel clicks and rotations of the lower leg. The syncopated stamping and upbeat accents appear to be unique to Romanian dances.
| type | names | form | structure | motifs | music |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Transylvanian | Bărbătesc, Roata, De sărit | group | walking (plimbări) and figures | syncopation, stamps, leaps, hops, heel clicks | 2/4 |
| North Moldavian | Trilişeşti, Ţânţăroiul, Leuşteanca, Pădureţul | group | walking (plimbări) and figures | syncopation, stamps, leaps, hops, heel clicks | 2/4 |
| Shepherds | Ceanunul, Brânza, Siminicul | group | walking (plimbări) and figures | syncopation, stamps, leaps, hops, heel clicks | 2/4 |
| Lad's dances | Fecioreşte, De bâtă, Haidău, Barbunc | group | walking (plimbări) and figures | syncopation, stamps, leaps, hops, heel clicks | 2/4 and asymmetric |
References
BUCSAN, A. (1971) Specificul Dansului Popular Românesc, Editura Academiei Republicii Socialiste România.
GIURCHESCU, A. & BLOLAND, S. (1995) Romanian Traditional Dance, "Mill Valley, California", Wild Flower Press.