BATUTA

Vidin District - N.W. Bulgaria

Source:	Learned by Yves Moreau, in the fall of 1971 from village dance group in Rabrovo, Vidin district, N.W. Bulgaria. In Romanian, Batuta refers to stamping dances. This Batuta is popular among the Vlachs who originally came to N.W. Bulgaria from Romania. The Vlachs were for a long time nomadic people who settled primarily in northern Greece, Macedonia, N.E. Serbia, and along the Bulgarian Danube. Their language and folklore are a mixture of Romanian and local elements.

Rhythm:	2/4

Recording:	Worldtone 45rpm WT-YM 001, Side A (1972)

Formation:	Short mixed or segregated lines - about 8 people. Belt hold, L over R. Often the men at the line ends hold wooden canes in their free hands.

Style:	Knees bent slightly, a sharp rather bouncy feeling, but not airy or light. A solid heavy quality. Steps are small and energetic.

Note:	There is no set sequence for the dance. The leader calls figures at will by shouting "hopa" or "hopsha" for a new figure, or "batuta" specifically for the 2nd figure. The dance can start on any musical phrase.

Meas	Ct	BASIC Step often referred to as "Vlajna"

Start with weight on L foot

1	1	Facing center and moving R, Step to R on R

2	Slide L next to R, almost displacing R

2	1	Step to R on R

2	Slide L next to R, almost displacing R

3	1	Step diagonally forward to R on R

2	Hold

4	1	Step diagonally forward to center on L

2	Hold

5	1	Step slightly forward on R crossing in front of L

2	Hold

6	1	Moving away from center, Step slightly backward L on L

2	Slide R foot back and next to L

7	1	Moving straight backward, small Step on L

2	Still moving backward, small Step on R

8	1	Still moving backward, small Step on L

2	Hold

BATUTA - Stamping Step

1-2	Repeat Measures 1-2 of the Basic Step above.

3	1	Step on R, facing slightly R

2	Small Hop on R in place

&	Facing center, small Stamp with L - no weight

4	1	Facing center, small Leap onto L

&	Sharp Stamp with R slightly forward - no weight

2	Small Hop on L in place

&	Sharp Stamp with R slightly forward - no weight

5	1	Facing slightly R, small sharp Stamp on R with weight

2	Small Hop on R simultaneously bringing L knee up next to R

6	1	Facing center, small Step sideward L with L

2	Step on R next to L almost displacing L, bending knees very sharply

7	1	Small Step to L with L

2	Close R to L

Note: sometimes meas. 7 is sharper like meas. 6

8	1	Small Step to L with L, raising R slightly across L

2	Hold

Presented by Tom Deering