Devetorka

 

REGION: Bulgaria, Macedonia

RHYTHM: 9/16, counted as 1, 2, 3, 4, and, or QQQS

TRANSLATION: “Nine” something.  Actually, this dance has no commonly accepted name, even though it is widely danced all over the Balkans.  It usually goes by the name of the song that accompanies the dance.  A popular name in the 1960s was Shareni Chorapi (multi-colored socks), a popular song of the times.  Chorap is a Turkish word for sock.  A current popular name in Bulgaria is Svadbarsko Horo (wedding dance), which means that it is danced at weddings.  Another name is Povarnoto.

ARMS: “V” position

 

Description

 

Measure 1

Q                                 Step right foot to the right

Q                                 Step left foot behind the right

Q                                 Step right foot to right

S                                  Hop on right foot, and continuing to right, step onto left foot

 

Measure 2

Q                                 Step right foot to the right

Q                                 Step left foot behind right

Q                                 Step right foot to the right

S                                  Close left foot beside right foot, pause

 

Measure 3                    Repeat Measure 2 with opposite foot and direction.

 

 

Some Improvements you can make

 

1. On occasion, on count 2 of measure 1, step left foot in front of the right instead of behind.  Actually, some people do this all the time.
2. On count 4 of measures 2 & 3, bounce on both feet instead of just pausing.  This is done by raising on the balls of both feet and striking the heels on the floor.  This is known as “chukche”, a small hammer blow.  I prefer to do a chukche on each foot separately.  On measure 2, the left foot does the chukche first, then the right.  On measure 3, the right foot does the chukche first, then the left.
3. If you are the leader, and you have the energy, you may do a circular motion on measures 2 & 3.  This will make the dance non-stop for you without any pauses or bounces on both feet.  Start the circular motion on count 4 of measure 2 with a hop on the right foot, step left foot towards the center, step on right foot in RLOD, step on left foot to left, step on right foot back, hop on right foot, step left foot behind right foot. Continue with measure 1.

 

© John Pappas, 2010.  As presented at the MPO day of learning, Springfield, Ohio, April 17, 2010.