What is it called? Szalagos tánc (ribbon dance) The section dancing round the ‘pole’ begins around 1:20, but I recommend watching the entire performance.
Pole In this particular performance, and the one below, there is no actual pole. This move can be done with a pole – it produces a plait that is not wrapped around the pole – however, I believe most ribbon dances in Hungary do use a pole.
Dance Figures – Hungarian Plait (The name I’ve given it does not necessarily mean it’s a traditional move, merely that Hungary was where I first encountered it.)
Why is there a performance of this dance in Pampang in Indonesia with the same name and the same ‘Hungarian plait’ move? No idea, but here’s the dance… Maybe there was some kind of cultural exchange. I’ve not managed to find any historical connection between the two countries.
I found some great photos from a school (probably near Waldorf) from March 2012, demonstrating a range of figures: The Moon, Plait, Barber’s Pole.
A move that I call ‘The Moon’, because the movements of the dancers do look rather like a moon waxing and waning.
Dancers performing ‘The Moon’.
Spider’s Web
Barber’s Pole
A rather nice finale, with ribbons held across the body and forming a circle.
Placing stones on the ribbons to stop them blowing all over the place.
