Posavski Drmeš I

POSAVSKI DRMEŠ I
"Kiša Pada"
Croatian

PRONUNCIATION: po-SAHV-skee DRR-mesh

TRANSLATION: Shaking dance from Posavina, along the Sava River.
The rain is falling. Named after the song it is danced to, "Kiša pada, neven vene, zaboravi diko mene" (The rain is falling, the marigolds are wilting, my sweetheart has forgotten me).

SOURCE: Dick Oakes learned this dance from Dennis Boxell who collected this version of Posavski Drmeš and introduced it to folkdancers in the United States.

BACKGROUND: This two-figure Posavski Drmeš is from the Sava River Valley (Posavina area) of Croatia. The dance is also known as "Kiša Pada" (rain fall), after the first words of the recommended song to which it is danced. Dick Crum says that the drmeš (pronounced DRR-mesh), or shaking dance, is the most typical dance form in the northwestern part of Croatia. Drmeši are rarely danced today, except at weddings or other celebrations, and usually only by older dancers, dancing as couples or in small circles of three or four. Otherwise, the drmeš is usually only seen when performed by amateur dance groups who may select a tune and some movements culled from the older dancers for presentation to audiences as living museum pieces. Sometimes, groups from adjacent villages will select different movements and sequences for a particular melody common to both, giving rise to what puzzled American folk dancers sometimes think of as conflicting versions of the same dance. Posavski Drmeš is one such dance that has undergone this preservative process.
At least three other versions have been introduced to folk dancers in the United States. All consist of various drmeš steps from Posavina, most of which are traceable to the stylization of Z. Ljevacković as performed by Lado and other stage groups.

MUSIC: NAMA 1 (LP) 1001, Side 1, Band 4, "Nama Drmeš Medley" (third dance);
Festival Records (45rpm) FM 4003;
Folkraft (45rpm) F-1491;
Epic (LP) LN 3571, Side 1, Band 1 (fourth dance);
Jugoton (LP) LPM-4, Side A, Band 4.

FORMATION: Closed cir of mixed M and W with hands joined with second person on either side in a back-basket hold ("B" pos). When the cir alternates exactly M, W, M, W, etc., W hands tend to be joined over M arms to allow the M to give better support.

METER/RHYTHM: 2/4

STEPS/STYLE: BUZZ STEP: Step R across in front of L on full ft, bending R knee (ct 1); step L to L on ball of ft, straightening knees almost straight (ct 2).
DRMEŠ STEP: Stamp R next to L, taking wt and bending R knee (ct 1); straighten knees (ct &); come down on both heels together with knees stiff (ct 2); immediately rise slightly on balls of ft (ct uh); come down on both heels together with knees stiff (ct &); immediately release wt from R ft in preparation for the following movement (ct uh).

MEAS MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION

INTRODUCTION

None.

I. BUZZ

1-16 Facing slightly diag L and moving CW to L in RLOD, dance sixteen Buzz Steps.

II. SHAKE

1-16 Facing ctr and moving very gradually CW to L in RLOD, dance sixteen Drmeš Steps.

Repeat entire dance from beg.

POSAVSKI DRMEŠ
(Kiša Pada)
Croatia

Precveli su plavi tulipani,
/ Ženite se garavi derani, /
Precveli su plavi tulipan.

Chorus:
Ana ana ini nena evo mojega dragana.
Ana ana ini nena evo mojega dragan.

Kiša pada, neven vene,
/ Zaboravi diko mene. /
Kiša pada neven ven.

Chorus

Višnja zrije, polje se zeleni,
/ hoće noćas dika doći meni? /
Višnja zrije, polje se zelen. The blue tulips have bloomed.
Get married, you dark guys.

Chorus:
Here's my sweetheart.

Rain falls, the marigold wilts.
Forget me, sweetheart.

Chorus:

The cherry is ripe, the ﬁeld is green.
Will my sweetheart come to my place tonight?

Copyright © 2012 by Dick Oakes

POSAVSKI DRMEŠ I "Kiša Pada" Croatian

PRONUNCIATION:	po-SAHV-skee DRR-mesh

TRANSLATION:	Shaking dance from Posavina, along the Sava River. The rain is falling. Named after the song it is danced to, "Kiša pada, neven vene, zaboravi diko mene" (The rain is falling, the marigolds are wilting, my sweetheart has forgotten me).
SOURCE:	Dick Oakes learned this dance from Dennis Boxell who collected this version of Posavski Drmeš and introduced it to folkdancers in the United States.

BACKGROUND:	This two-figure Posavski Drmeš is from the Sava River Valley (Posavina area) of Croatia. The dance is also known as "Kiša Pada" (rain fall), after the first words of the recommended song to which it is danced. Dick Crum says that the drmeš (pronounced DRR-mesh), or shaking dance, is the most typical dance form in the northwestern part of Croatia. Drmeši are rarely danced today, except at weddings or other celebrations, and usually only by older dancers, dancing as couples or in small circles of three or four. Otherwise, the drmeš is usually only seen when performed by amateur dance groups who may select a tune and some movements culled from the older dancers for presentation to audiences as living museum pieces. Sometimes, groups from adjacent villages will select different movements and sequences for a particular melody common to both, giving rise to what puzzled American folk dancers sometimes think of as conflicting versions of the same dance. Posavski Drmeš is one such dance that has undergone this preservative process. At least three other versions have been introduced to folk dancers in the United States. All consist of various drmeš steps from Posavina, most of which are traceable to the stylization of Z. Ljevacković as performed by Lado and other stage groups.
MUSIC:	NAMA 1 (LP) 1001, Side 1, Band 4, "Nama Drmeš Medley" (third dance); Festival Records (45rpm) FM 4003; Folkraft (45rpm) F-1491; Epic (LP) LN 3571, Side 1, Band 1 (fourth dance); Jugoton (LP) LPM-4, Side A, Band 4.

FORMATION:	Closed cir of mixed M and W with hands joined with second person on either side in a back-basket hold ("B" pos). When the cir alternates exactly M, W, M, W, etc., W hands tend to be joined over M arms to allow the M to give better support.

METER/RHYTHM:	2/4

STEPS/STYLE:	BUZZ STEP: Step R across in front of L on full ft, bending R knee (ct 1); step L to L on ball of ft, straightening knees almost straight (ct 2). DRMEŠ STEP: Stamp R next to L, taking wt and bending R knee (ct 1); straighten knees (ct &); come down on both heels together with knees stiff (ct 2); immediately rise slightly on balls of ft (ct uh); come down on both heels together with knees stiff (ct &); immediately release wt from R ft in preparation for the following movement (ct uh).

MEAS	MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION


	INTRODUCTION

	None.

I.	BUZZ

1-16	Facing slightly diag L and moving CW to L in RLOD, dance sixteen Buzz Steps.

II.	SHAKE

1-16	Facing ctr and moving very gradually CW to L in RLOD, dance sixteen Drmeš Steps.

	Repeat entire dance from beg.