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polka-żydówka

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Regional name: żyd

The name polka-żydówka or żyd (Jew) is related to the manner of dancing intended to resemble the swaying or the way of walking observed among the former Jewish population in Poland. In the past, dancers used to imitate the Jews’ walk or movements of the hands, torso or head in a mocking way, but with time, polka-żydówka lost this character, and was performed in several regions in different versions.

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It was popular in Lublin, Rzeszów, Nowy Sącz and Małopolska region, in Przeworsk, and in some areas in Mazowsze and Podlasie regions. The tempo is slightly slower than in traditional polka, with 2/4 metre. Like in other polkas, pairs may dance in closed handhold or with no body contact (for example, near Przeworsk or in Pieniny region).

The dance consists of two parts. In the first part, dancers perform polka step with or without rotation, along circle or straight lines. In the second part, they add a range of figures and gestures, such as small hops, stamping in place, and leaps from one foot to the other accompanied by slight swaying to the side. While standing face to face with no handhold, the dancers may point fingers and nod at each other, gently bow forward or to the sides (in this case, the name polka kłaniana, or bowing polka, was used), which was supposed to imitate the bowing of praying Jews. In some regions, for example, near Przeworsk and Rzeszów, and among Pieniny highlanders, the dance has an accompanying song (przyśpiewka) sung when the dance figures are performed:

Sła Zydowka koło kromu, sukala se marcyponu,

marcyponu nie znalazla, jednom nogom w maras wlazła.

Zyd sie śmioł jak się chwioł!

Sla Zydowka koło kromu, nazbirała marcyponu,

marcypon się rozsypuje, a Zydówka podskakuje,

Zyd się śmioł jak się chwioł!

Zydowka się rozsierdziła, Icka za brode chwyciła,

co ty wyrobios mi stara, łod moi brody ci wara!

Aj waj waj, brody nie rusoj!

 

Dąbrowska, Grażyna W. (ed.). Taniec w polskiej tradycjiLeksykon. Warszawa: MUZA, 2005-2006.

Dudek, Aleksandra. Pienińskie tańce ludowe. “Prace Pienińskie”, 2004, no. 14, pp. 45-61, Szczawnica.

Haszczak, Alicja. Folklor taneczny Ziemi Rzeszowskiej. Warszawa: Centralny Ośrodek Metodyki Upowszechniania Kultury, 1989.