Folk Dance: The Circassian Circle
The Circassian Circle is perhaps our favorite folk dance. It is one of the ring dances preferred by Wendell Berry as an example of community interaction. Not only is it great fun, but it is simple enough for children to learn.
The dance did not originate in Circassa, as one might well surmise, but in England during the 19th century, when it was apparently popular to use exotic if unrelated names. (In my research, however, I did discover one comment by a Circassian who said that the dance resembled the Wudj Khurai [literally, ‘circle dance’] of his people.)
The Circassian Circle continues to be a popular folk dance worldwide. It is a ‘mixer,’ a dance in which you get a new partner for each set. This allowed everyone to meet each other in a wholesome and non-threatening environment.
The following, which is known today as the Circassian Circle, is actually only the second part of the original dance. I could not discover information about other parts, and I would welcome any enlightenment from my readers.
Preliminaries
Willing Dancers: The dance requires an even number of dancers. Ten dancers is said to be the minimum, with twenty to forty dancers being ideal, but we make do at home with just four—while agreeing that a larger circle would be greater fun.
Delightful Music: Most music for the Circassian Circle is in a 6 / 8 beat. Irish jigs (a popular choice is “The Irish Washerwoman”) are said to work particularly well due to their correct rhythm and rigid structure.
The track we use and love best is from the album Carmichael’s Ceilidh Ball; it is a medley of traditional English tunes: ‘Kingussie Flower’; ‘Milking Croon’; ‘Kiss Me Quick, My Mother’s Coming’; and ‘Caithness Volunteers.’ It is a lively track, but not too lively for beginners. it is available as a 99-cent download from iTunes.
Shall We Dance?
Note: A boy’s partner is to his left.
For the first eight beats of music you will—
•Take four steps to the center. (Arm swinging is optional but fun!)
•Take four steps back. (Ditto.)
Note: One generally starts with the left foot. Depending on the music, you may instead take two polka steps in, then out.
For eight beats of music—
•The girls will release hands and take four steps to the center, and then four steps out. Boys clap their hands to the beat.
For eight beats of music—
•The boys will take four steps to the center, and then four steps out, turning to their left to face their partner.
For eight beats of music—
•Partners balance, arms crossed or akimbo.
Note: To balance is to kick to the left with your right foot, then kick to the right with your left foot. Repeat.
For sixteen beats (2 bars) of music—
•Partners swing.
Note: You may want to count out the beats at first but as you practice you will hear it in the music. See more detailed instruction below: The Swing.
For sixteen beats (2 bars) of music—
•Partners promenade around the circle counter-clockwise.
Note: In country dancing, ‘promenade’ is a movement in which the couples follow one another in a given direction, each couple have both hands joined. See more detailed instructions below: The Promenade.
•The dancers rejoin in a circle, the boys passing their partner to their right. Boys have a new partner to their left.
Begin the dance again, ad infinitum until the end of the music. Ending the dance with your starting partner, means that each of the girls has danced with each of the boys.
If you are a visual learner, you may want to see this YouTube video. [Note: They do a variation on the balance which is not half as fun.]
The Swing
There are multiple options for swinging. For the sake of uniformity and lack of confusion, you may want to choose only one when learning or teaching the dance. The premise is that you and your partner are spinning clockwise around each other.
Some versions use a traditional ballroom hold.* A swing hold more easily transitioned into the promenade is to join left hands and have right hands on each other’s shoulders; lean out and spin. Others use the same simple cross-hand hold (also known as the handshake hold) used in the promenade. (See below.)
*Ballroom hold: the boy has his right hand on the girl’s waist, back or shoulder blade. The girl’s left hand is on the boy’s shoulder. The other hands are joined.
The Promenade
For the promenade, boys are walking on the inside of the circle, and the girls outside (no doubt to display their colorful skirts!) and slightly to the front.
Depending on the tempo of the music, ordinary or polka steps may be taken. Why not skip?
To exit this position and rejoin the circle, the boy spins the girl clockwise and under his left arm to his right.
Enjoy Yourself
“Some people dance this in a very boring, funereal manner,” writes one dance instructor. “Don’t be one of these people.” He encourages dancers to add their own spontaneous spins and steps, as long as they remain faithful to the dance’s basic structure. “This is supposed to be fun. You are allowed to smile, laugh, whoop and holler if you like.” We do!
Calling
If you are teaching others the dance, explain each of the steps before beginning. For the first few dances, you will want to help their memory by calling out the steps. Remember to stay faithful to the music’s beat.
•In 2 3 4 4 beats
•Out 2 3 4 4 beats
•In 2 3 4 4 beats
•Out 2 3 4 4 beats
•Ladies in 2 3 4 4 beats
•Out 2 3 4 4 beats
•Men in 2 3 4 4 beats
•Turn to your partner.
•Balance 8 beats
•And Swing 8 beats
•Promenade 16 beats
•Start the dance again with a new partner.
Painting: Children’s Dances. Hans Thomas.
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NEXT SISTER said...
The Circassian Circle is my absolute favorite dance! I love everything about it—the music we use (the accordion is my favorite instrument), the war-whoops we yell when we pull each other in, the balancing, and the promenading (when we compete for... uh, creativity). I wish people danced more. I’d rather dance the Patty-Cake Polka (a dance that involves all the major muscles) all day than do an exercise video for one hour. And you have soo much fun!
Saturday, August 21, 2010 01:12 PM
NEXT SISTER said...
We need to try that new cross-hand hold. It’ll be a riot! Can’t believe we’ve been doing the little children’s version...
Saturday, August 21, 2010 01:13 AM
Friday, August 20, 2010