Periniţa

From Muntenia, Romania

Presented by Sonia Dion and Cristian Florescu

Periniţa (means : the little pillow) is a distinctive Romanian dance of the kiss. Actually, this traditional dance is the most famous dance of the repertoire. Its origin is very old and comes from the south of the country.

This version of Periniţa is composed of a Sârba dance (with three basic figures) done while dancing in a mixed circle. It should be noted that the Periniţa, from region to region, will vary. To clarify exactly what defines a Periniţa, one need only look at the story of the dance rather than the steps; in which alternately men and women pick their partners from the circle of dancers. A brief exchange (to be decided by the dancers) and a kiss upon the dance floor while the couple kneels in the middle of the Sârba on a little pillow or an embroidered handkerchief. Examples of this brief exchange could be, a short swirl, a little waltz or whatever comes to mind. Meanwhile, all the other dancers are performing the choreographied sequence. After the kissing, the last person chosen will choose a new partner, while his former partner takes his place in the Sârba.

Periniţa was traditionally performed on the night of the New Year or was the last dance of a wedding celebration. Now, each happy event may include it.

Formation : mixed circle Position : handhold in W position

Pronunciation : peh-ree-NEE-tsah

Style : hands doing tiny circles ( up first, twd center of circle,...) in W position

Accessory : one handkerchief (if the group is very important, use more then one to have more participation or repeat the music)

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meter : 4/4 Description of Periniţa

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Meas. Count Figure 1

(facing center, slightly moving to the R, hands in W pos.,

see Style)

1 1 Step on R twd center, body slightly diag. to the right

2 Step on L twd center

3 Step on R twd center

4 Lift R heel raising L ft near R anckle

2 1 Step on L bkwd, body slightly diag. to left

2 Step on R bkwd

3 Step on L bkwd

4 Lift L heel raising R ft near L anckle

( N.B. meas. 1-2 = “dents de scie” /\ saw-tooth pattern)

3-8 Repeat measures 1-2, three more times

Figure 2 : Sârba pe trei

(moving LOD)

1 1 Step on R fwd swinging arms down in V pos. (slightly up then

down and sligtly bkwd)

2 Lift R heel raising L ft near R anckle

3 Step on L fwd swinging arms up in W pos. (sligl. bkwd then up)

4 Lift L heel raising R ft near L anckle

2 1 Step on R fwd, hands in W pos. (doing small circles)

2 Step on L fwd

3 Step on R fwd

4 Lift R heel raising L ft near R anckle

3-4 Repeat measures 1-2 with opposite ftwk

5-8 Repeat measures 1-4

Figure 3 : Sârba pe patru

1 1 Step on R fwd swinging arms down

2 Lift R heel raising L ft near R anckle

3 Step on L fwd swinging arms up

4 Lift L heel raising R ft near L anckle

2 1 Step on R fwd, hands in W pos. (doing small circles)

2 Step on L fwd

3 Step on R fwd

4 Step on L fwd

3-8 Repeat measures 1-2, three more times

Final pattern:

F1 + F2 + F3 alternately (according to the music)