Maričensko Pravo Horo

MARIČENSKO PRAVO HORO
Bulgarian

PRONUNCIATION: mah-ree-CHEN-skoh PRAH-voh hoh-ROH

TRANSLATION: Maričeno straight (direct) dance

SOURCE: Dick Oakes learned this dance from Yves Moreau who learned it in the village of Maričeno (Sofia District of Bulgaria) in the fall of 1969 and subsequently taught it to folk dancers in the United States.

BACKGROUND: A pravo horo is a dance that moves straight or "directly" in a particular direction, usually to the right, and usually has a 3-measure movement pattern. The pravo is danced over most of Bulgaria, and in fact is the most popular dance form in Thrace.

MUSIC: XOPO (LP) X-LP-4, side 2, band 1

FORMATION: Mixed lines of M and W holding neighbors' belts in "X" pos with R arm under, or simply holding joined hands down in "V" pos. End dancers may hold own belt with free hand, let it hang at the side, or twirl a handkerchief in the outstretched free hand.

METER/RHYTHM: 2/4

STEPS/STYLE: Movements are small and sharp and the knees are flexed. The style is simple, rustic, and unsophisticated.

MEAS MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION - None.

I. SAW TOOTH

1 Step R diag fwd to R (ct 1); step L diag fwd to R (ct 2).

2 Step R diag bwd to R (ct 1); step L diag bwd to R (ct &); step R diag bwd to R simultaneously raising L up sharply in back with knee bent (ct 2).

3-4 Repeat action of meas 1-2 to L with opp ftwk.

5-8 Repeat action of meas 1-4.

II. SIDEWARDS

1 Step R swd with a wide step (ct 1); step L next to R almost displacing R and bending knees (ct &); repeat action of cts 1& (cts 2, &).

2 Turning to face slightly R, small step in place R bending body fwd slightly (ct 1); stamp L next to R no wt (ct &); repeat action of cts 1, & to L with opp ftwk (cts 2, &).

3 Step R twd ctr (ct 1); step L twd ctr turning so that L shldr is twd ctr (ct 2); raise R up sharply in back with knee bent (ct &).

4 Moving away from ctr, step R swd (ct 1); step L next to R almost displacing R and bending knees (ct &); step R swd (ct 2); quick stamp L next to R no wt (or raise L up sharply in back with knee bent) (ct &).

5-8 Repeat action of meas 1-4 to L with opp ftwk.

Repeat entire dance from beg with a momentary pause after the eighth time.

Copyright © 2012 by Dick Oakes

MARIČENSKO PRAVO HORO Bulgarian

PRONUNCIATION:	mah-ree-CHEN-skoh PRAH-voh hoh-ROH

TRANSLATION:	Maričeno straight (direct) dance

SOURCE:	Dick Oakes learned this dance from Yves Moreau who learned it in the village of Maričeno (Sofia District of Bulgaria) in the fall of 1969 and subsequently taught it to folk dancers in the United States.

BACKGROUND:	A pravo horo is a dance that moves straight or "directly" in a particular direction, usually to the right, and usually has a 3-measure movement pattern. The pravo is danced over most of Bulgaria, and in fact is the most popular dance form in Thrace.

MUSIC:	XOPO (LP) X-LP-4, side 2, band 1

FORMATION:	Mixed lines of M and W holding neighbors' belts in "X" pos with R arm under, or simply holding joined hands down in "V" pos. End dancers may hold own belt with free hand, let it hang at the side, or twirl a handkerchief in the outstretched free hand.

METER/RHYTHM:	2/4

STEPS/STYLE:	Movements are small and sharp and the knees are flexed. The style is simple, rustic, and unsophisticated.


MEAS	MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION


	INTRODUCTION - None.

I.	SAW TOOTH

1	Step R diag fwd to R (ct 1); step L diag fwd to R (ct 2).
2	Step R diag bwd to R (ct 1); step L diag bwd to R (ct &); step R diag bwd to R simultaneously raising L up sharply in back with knee bent (ct 2).
3-4	Repeat action of meas 1-2 to L with opp ftwk.
5-8	Repeat action of meas 1-4.

II.	SIDEWARDS

1	Step R swd with a wide step (ct 1); step L next to R almost displacing R and bending knees (ct &); repeat action of cts 1& (cts 2, &).
2	Turning to face slightly R, small step in place R bending body fwd slightly (ct 1); stamp L next to R no wt (ct &); repeat action of cts 1, & to L with opp ftwk (cts 2, &).

3	Step R twd ctr (ct 1); step L twd ctr turning so that L shldr is twd ctr (ct 2); raise R up sharply in back with knee bent (ct &).
4	Moving away from ctr, step R swd (ct 1); step L next to R almost displacing R and bending knees (ct &); step R swd (ct 2); quick stamp L next to R no wt (or raise L up sharply in back with knee bent) (ct &).
5-8	Repeat action of meas 1-4 to L with opp ftwk.

	Repeat entire dance from beg with a momentary pause after the eighth time.
Copyright © 2012 by Dick Oakes