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The dances and
music of the Nišava River valley in eastern Serbia have much in common with those of
neighboring western Bulgaria. These songs and dances from the village of Mokra near the
town of Bela Palanka were observed by Richard Crum in the early 1950's. Even then, there
were few people who remembered them, and most of these dances can no longer be found among
the villagers. On a Sunday afternoon, young women gather in the village square singing Meseče
Jasan Pojasan (Clear, bright moon). As they form a circle for the dance-song Što
Mi Omilelo (What I long for), they are joined by an admiring group of young men. In
opposing lines, the men and women dance Vrti Kolo, then all break into an exuberant
čačak. In Ripna Maca (The cat leaps), groups of young men and women take
turns demonstrating their virtuosity. Two groups of men begin the dance Šestorka,
and all the others stop to watch. Finally, everyone joins in the lively freestyle dance Pešačka.
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| Click HERE for Song Words. |
