Circassian Circle

Couples stand in a large circle (1s + 2s), facing inwards.

Everyone holds hands, arms lifted slightly above elbow height (W-grip).

Steps: walking steps and hopping steps.

The dance step by step

1. Everyone in and out

Everyone takes four steps into the circle – or takes three steps and hops on the fourth.

The same back to place (1–8).

Repeat once more (1–8).

2 a) Girls in – boys clap

The girls (1s) take three steps into the circle, curtsey/bow on the fourth, and walk backwards back to place. The boys (2s) stand and clap their hands (1–8).

2 b) Boys in – girls clap

The boys take three steps in, hop on the fourth and clap their hands while turning right and moving towards their partner. The girls clap (1–8).

3. Round dance with partner

Couples take each other's hands and dance around on the spot with walking steps or small hopping steps (1–8).

Repeat around the other way (1–8).

4. Couples around in a circle

Couples hold each other with one hand (the girl places her hand in the boy's hand) and march counter-clockwise around the circle, with the boy on the inside (1–8×2).

The dance is repeated from the beginning.

Partner change. Instead of returning to his own partner in turn 2 b, the boy goes to a new partner when he has turned right. He then continues dancing with the girl in the couple in front.

Keywords – how to recognize the dance

• Couples in a large circle – everyone in and out twice
• Girls in – boys clap
• Boys in – girls clap
• Around with partner – turn – other way
• Go around in a circle as couples

Progression (learning)

It can be good to start simple:

1. First practice walking to the music in a large circle – in and out of the circle (four times), alternating between these.
2. Walk in a circle as couples, take each other's hands, and go in and out of the circle (four times).
3. Let the couples join hands and dance around.

The dancers have then learned the basic elements of the dance. What remains is for the girls to go in once and the boys once. Wait with partner change until the students know the dance well.

The dance is particularly well suited for small circles with 5–6 couples.