NARODNO HORO (na-rrod-no ho-rro) = folk dance. Really. That's all it means.
OTHER NAMES:
Dumbazko Horo = blood-sucking, bloated, money-grubbing moneybag's (merchant's) horo.
Dunavski Horo = Dunavsko Horo (Danube horo), the common name for this dance in Bulgaria.
Makedonsko Narodno = Macedonian folk dance.
Narodno Horo, the common name for this dance in North America, meaning also National Dance.
Nestinarsko Horo = fire-dancer's horo.
Pravo Horo = Pravoto = straight horo.
Radino Horo = Rada's horo.
Svishtofsko = Svishtovka = Svishtovsko Horo = horo from Svishtov, a town in north Bulgaria.
Tûrnovsko Horo = horo from Tûrnovo, ancient capital of Bulgaria.
Uchenichesko Horo = learner's horo.
Note: the suffix "-to" (meaning "the -") is occasionally affixed to these names to make your job of remembering them more difficult. E.g.: Horoto = The Horo, Pravoto = The Pravo.
BACKGROUND:
One very prevalent step pattern in Bulgaria is as follows:
(1) Step to R onto R foot, step behind R foot onto L foot,
(2) step to R onto R foot, step before R foot onto L foot,
(3) step to R onto R foot, step behind R foot onto L foot,
step to R onto R foot and then do something with your L foot,
(1) step to L onto L foot, step behind L foot onto R foot,
step to L onto L foot and then do something with your R foot.
You can count it:
"1-2-3-4-5-6-7-hold, 1-2-3-hold"
or: "3 to the R and 1 to the L."
Whichever pattern you use, it will help you to remember a bunch of dances, Narodno Horo for example.
Because of the "northern" names, symmetric (non-asymmetric) rhythm, and progression to the right (CCW around the room), we can guess that this pattern entered Bulgaria from the north to become known throughout the country.
I danced Narodno Horo at a wedding reception in Bulgaria in 1982 and this is what's important: this dance has the same footwork as Eleno Mome and Gankino. Only the rhythm and starting point are different. I also noted that when you dance at a Bulgarian wedding next to that small but incredibly strong drunk, it matters less what you want to do than what he does.
FORMATION:
Maidens dancing in lines while the men watch to select a bride.
Shortage of maidens (or men)? Okay, everybody in lines, leaders at R ends; any handhold you like and your neighbor will permit. A line's leader frequently waves and twirls overhead a knotted handkerchief in his right hand.
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BARS ACTION
2/4 Introduction.
? Depends on your leader and the band.
The dance.
1 Step to R onto R foot (ct 1), step behind R foot onto L foot (ct 2).
2 Step to R onto R foot (ct 1), step in front of R foot onto L foot (ct 2).
3 = 1 (step-behind to R).
4 Step and hop to R onto R foot (cts 1,2), kick L foot forward or stamp (ct 2).
5-6 = 3-4 with opposite footwork and direction (step-behind, step-something, to L).
OR
First variation.
1-4 Run 7 steps to R, starting onto R foot (cts 1,2,1,2,1,2,1), kick or stamp L foot (ct 2).
5-6 Run 3 steps to L, starting onto L foot (cts 1,2,1), kick or stamp L foot (ct 2).
OR:
Second variation.
1 Step-hop to R onto R foot (cts 1,2).
2 Step-hop to R onto L foot (cts 1,2).
3-6 = 3-6 of first variation.
OR:
Third variation.
1-3 Do what the small but incredibly strong drunk dancing next to you is doing.
Note: many variations such as two-steps, grapevines, dancing into and out of the center, dancing in place, twirls, hesitations, and squats have been described for this dance. Joined hands are sometimes swung forward (cts 1), and back (cts 2).
One rule found throughout the world applies here: as the music gets fast, the steps get small.
Note also: you can count that second variation as:
1-hold,
2-hold,
1-2-3-hold,
1-2-3-hold.
This variation leads us into another extremely popular pattern that will help you to remember another bunch of dances:
1-hold,
2-hold,
1-2-3-hold.
You'll find it in Marichensko Pravo Horo, Baldûzka, Shetnja, and Milanovo Kolo, among others.