1. Romania: Calusul
Calusul dance from Oltenia
(performed by Ariesana-Fiii Motilor folk ensemble from Turda and Mihai Viteazu)
The Căluşari were the members of a Romanian fraternal secret society who practiced a ritual acrobatic dance known as the căluş. According to the Romanian historian Mircea Eliade, the Calusari were known for "their ability to create the impression of flying in the air"which he believed represented both the galloping of a horse and the dancing of the fairies (zine). Indeed, the group’s patron was the "Queen of the Fairies" (Doamna Zinelor), who was also known as Irodiada and Arada, and who Eliade connected with the folkloric figure Diana
Due to their connection with the fairies, the Calusari were believed to be able to cure the victims of fairies and for around two weeks - from three weeks after Easter till Whitsunday - would travel to all the local communities where they would dance, accompanied by a few fiddlers, in order to do so.In their dance, the Căluşari carried clubs and a sword, as well as a flag and a wooden horsehead. They swore on the group’s flag to treat each other as brothers, to respect the customs of the Calusari and to remain chaste for the next nine days. Upon their return home, their flag was fixed into the ground, with one member climbing up in and crying out "war, dear ones, war!"
The origins of the Calusari are unknown, although the first written attestations are from the 17th century musical notations of Ioan Căianu.[citation needed] Eliade noted that "Although the oath taken is made in the name of God, the mythico-ritual scenario enacted by the calusari has nothing in common with Christianity" and that, in the 19th century at least, there was clerical opposition to the group, with its members being excluded from taking communion for three years in some regions.
Calusul oltenesc. Performed by: Ansamblului Profesionist Doina Oltului din Slatina
The căluş is a male group dance, although there are records of traditions from Oltenia region that included 1-2 young girls, now obsolete. A "bride" would be chosen by the group from each village they passed through, based on her dancing skills. The "bride" would be oath-bound to join in the ritual dance, for three years in a row.
Dancers wear white trousers and white tunics, with brightly coloured ribbons streaming from their hats. Bells are attached to their ankles, and dances include the use of ornate sticks held upright whilst dancing, or pointing at the ground as a prop. The dance itself is highly acrobatic, emphasizing extension and high jumps, much like the Ceili dance.
The Căluş Ritual
The dance includes the following elements.
The starting figure of walking (plimbări), or a basic step, in a circle moving counter clockwise.
More complex figures (mişcare) performed in place between walking steps.
Figures are formed from combinations of elements, often have a beginning-middle-end structure.
Calusul dance from Oltenia
(performed by Ariesana-Fiii Motilor folk ensemble from Turda and Mihai Viteazu)
The Căluşari were the members of a Romanian fraternal secret society who practiced a ritual acrobatic dance known as the căluş. According to the Romanian historian Mircea Eliade, the Calusari were known for "their ability to create the impression of flying in the air"which he believed represented both the galloping of a horse and the dancing of the fairies (zine). Indeed, the group’s patron was the "Queen of the Fairies" (Doamna Zinelor), who was also known as Irodiada and Arada, and who Eliade connected with the folkloric figure Diana
Due to their connection with the fairies, the Calusari were believed to be able to cure the victims of fairies and for around two weeks - from three weeks after Easter till Whitsunday - would travel to all the local communities where they would dance, accompanied by a few fiddlers, in order to do so.In their dance, the Căluşari carried clubs and a sword, as well as a flag and a wooden horsehead. They swore on the group’s flag to treat each other as brothers, to respect the customs of the Calusari and to remain chaste for the next nine days. Upon their return home, their flag was fixed into the ground, with one member climbing up in and crying out "war, dear ones, war!"
The origins of the Calusari are unknown, although the first written attestations are from the 17th century musical notations of Ioan Căianu.[citation needed] Eliade noted that "Although the oath taken is made in the name of God, the mythico-ritual scenario enacted by the calusari has nothing in common with Christianity" and that, in the 19th century at least, there was clerical opposition to the group, with its members being excluded from taking communion for three years in some regions.
Calusul oltenesc. Performed by: Ansamblului Profesionist Doina Oltului din Slatina
The căluş is a male group dance, although there are records of traditions from Oltenia region that included 1-2 young girls, now obsolete. A "bride" would be chosen by the group from each village they passed through, based on her dancing skills. The "bride" would be oath-bound to join in the ritual dance, for three years in a row.
Dancers wear white trousers and white tunics, with brightly coloured ribbons streaming from their hats. Bells are attached to their ankles, and dances include the use of ornate sticks held upright whilst dancing, or pointing at the ground as a prop. The dance itself is highly acrobatic, emphasizing extension and high jumps, much like the Ceili dance.
The Căluş Ritual
The dance includes the following elements.
The starting figure of walking (plimbări), or a basic step, in a circle moving counter clockwise.
More complex figures (mişcare) performed in place between walking steps.
Figures are formed from combinations of elements, often have a beginning-middle-end structure.
thanks for posting...loved the videos :)
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