Post by JustJohn or JJ on Jul 12, 2021 5:47:18 GMT -7
Poland’s Five National Dances
by Łowiczanka
Poland is a nation rich in culture, and musical tradition. In fact, Poland even has five (5) National Dances. There are few countries in the world that have even one national dance.
Brazil has the Samba, Argentina the Tango, Cuba has the Rumba, and Ukraine has the Hopak. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the Merengue as a national dance. Several Middle Eastern countries share the Dabke. Other than Poland, it is only Columbia that has more than one dance: the Cumbia and the Vallenate.
The U.S.A. on the other hand, does not have a national dance, however about half of the states have a State Dance, and most of them claim the Square Dance, though Hawaii has the Hula, and South Carolina has the Shag. Plus, in a tradition of east versus west, California has the West Coast Swing (in addition to the Square Dance), while New York has the Lindy Hop (also known as Eastern Swing). Wisconsin and Pennsylvania both claim the Polka.
Which leads us back to Poland. No, the Polka is not a national dance of Poland. Poland’s national dances are: The Krakowiak, the Mazur (Mazurka), Polonez (Polonaise), the Kujawiak, and the Oberek. These dances, which originated in the Polish countryside, were so popular that they found their way to the royal court, and were even incorporated into classical works by composers like Chopin.
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The Polonez, or Poland Dance of 18th century nobility, has its roots in the 17th century walking dance Chodzony, which traditionally opened up balls and weddings in country villages throughout Poland.
by Łowiczanka
Poland is a nation rich in culture, and musical tradition. In fact, Poland even has five (5) National Dances. There are few countries in the world that have even one national dance.
Brazil has the Samba, Argentina the Tango, Cuba has the Rumba, and Ukraine has the Hopak. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the Merengue as a national dance. Several Middle Eastern countries share the Dabke. Other than Poland, it is only Columbia that has more than one dance: the Cumbia and the Vallenate.
The U.S.A. on the other hand, does not have a national dance, however about half of the states have a State Dance, and most of them claim the Square Dance, though Hawaii has the Hula, and South Carolina has the Shag. Plus, in a tradition of east versus west, California has the West Coast Swing (in addition to the Square Dance), while New York has the Lindy Hop (also known as Eastern Swing). Wisconsin and Pennsylvania both claim the Polka.
Which leads us back to Poland. No, the Polka is not a national dance of Poland. Poland’s national dances are: The Krakowiak, the Mazur (Mazurka), Polonez (Polonaise), the Kujawiak, and the Oberek. These dances, which originated in the Polish countryside, were so popular that they found their way to the royal court, and were even incorporated into classical works by composers like Chopin.
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The Polonez, or Poland Dance of 18th century nobility, has its roots in the 17th century walking dance Chodzony, which traditionally opened up balls and weddings in country villages throughout Poland.
The Polonez is still danced in Poland today as the opening procession for student Proms.
The Mazur is also popular in ballets, like this mazurka from the French ballet, Coppelia by Leo Delibes. Even though it is in ballet form, it has all the elements of the peasant Mazur.
The Act I Mazurka of Coppelia performed by the Bolshoi Ballet, 2011
The Krakowiak originated in the southern Polish city of Kraków, Poland’s capital in the 16th century.
The Kujawiak originated in the Kujawy region of North-Central Poland in the 19th century, and was quickly embraced by the gentry because of its dignified simplicity.
The Oberek originated in the Mazowsze region of central Poland in the 17th century, and was played by small village bands dominated by the violin, along with an accordion or bass, and a drum. (Cwiklin area)
A more modern style of this dance
My dad danced this one very well.