OVČEPOLSKO ORO

Macedonia

Named after the Ovčepole ("sheep field") region in central Macedonia, which is located between Sveti Nikola and Štip, southeast of Skopje. This dance shows a heavy Serbian influence, brought into Macedonia while it was under the Serbs and spread throughout the country largely by the itinerant gypsies.

Source:	As learned by Tom Deering from Pece Atanasovski, at his camp in Oteševo Macedonia, 1976.

Rhythm:	11/16 counted: Quick, Quick, Slow, Quick, Quick

1 2 3 4 5

2/16 2/16 3/16 2/16 2/16

Recordings:	Jugoton LPY-50985: Macedonian Folk Dances, Pece Atanasovski

AMAN LP 104

Folklorist 45 rpm: FL-104: Boxell, Festival Records

Formation:	Danced in mixed lines holding hands with arms down ("V" position) with the leader on the right end of the line. The dance can be started on any measure. Step changes are signalled by the leader when "the music feels right."

Step Note:	Čukče: Lift the heel of the supporting foot slightly before the beat, bringing it down on the beat. The ball of the foot does not leave the floor.

Meas	Ct	STEP 1 - Walking step (slow music)

1	1	Facing and moving R, bending slightly at the waist, Step forward on R ft in line of direction (LOD)

2	Continue through step

3	Step on L ft forward in LOD, straightening body

4	Čukče on L

5	Step on R ft forward in LOD

2	1	Čukče on R

2	Step on L ft forward in LOD, preparing to face center

3	Turning to face center, Thrust R ft forward to center, toe down and close to floor

4	Pull R back and Touch floor slightly back, next to L heel

5	Leaving R where it touched floor, put Heel to floor taking full weight

3	1	Still facing center, small Step back on L

2	Step in place on R ft

3	Thrust L ft forward to center, toe down and close to floor

4	Step on L ft slightly back, next to R ft

5	Lift R leg up low in front of L shin

STEP 2

1	1	Facing and moving R, light Step forward on R ft in LOD

2	Step forward on L ft in LOD

3	Step forward on R ft in LOD, bending R knee slightly

4	Hop on R ft, straightening knee

5	Step forward on L ft in LOD

2	1-2	Continuing light running steps forward in LOD: Step R, Step L,

3	Turning to face center, hop on L ft, Thrusting R ft forward to center, toe down and close to floor

4	Hop on L again

5	Small Step back onto R ft

3	1	Small Step back onto L ft

2	Step in place on R ft

3	Small hop on R ft, Thrusting L foot forward to center, toe down and close to floor

4	Small Hop on R ft

5	Small Step back onto L ft

Continued...

OVČEPOLSKO ORO (continued)

Page 2

Meas	Ct	STEP 3

1-2	REPEAT measures 1-2 of Step 2

3	1	Small Step back onto L ft

2	Step in place on R ft

3	Small hop on L ft, Thrusting L foot forward to center, toe down and close to floor

4	Small Hop on R, turning to face L

5	Moving L, Step forward (RLOD) onto L ft

4	1	Hop on L ft

2	Continuing L, Step forward on R ft

3	Small hop on R ft, Thrusting L foot forward to center, toe down and close to floor

4	Small Hop on R ft

5	Small Step back onto L ft

STEP 4 - Turns

1	REPEAT measure 1 of Step 3

2	1-2	Continuing light running steps forward in LOD: Step R, Step L,

3	Turning to face center, hop on L ft, Thrusting R ft forward to center, toe down and close to floor

4	Hop on L ft again, beginning a single turn in place (CCW)

5	Small Step onto R ft, continuing CCW turn

3	1	Small Step onto L ft, continuing CCW turn

2	Step in place on R ft, finishing CCW turn to face center

3	Small hop on L ft, Thrusting L foot forward to center, toe down and close to floor

4	Small Hop on R, turning to face L

5	Moving L, Step forward (RLOD) onto L ft

4	REPEAT measure 4 of Step 3

Note:	When this step is called by the leader, everyone drops hands as the turn starts. Hands are then placed on the hips with fingers back and palms out for the duration of the step.

STEP 5

1-4	REPEAT Step 3 until the end of the music

Dance Description by Tom Deering

Presented by Tom Deering