polka przez nogę

Regional names: polka bez nogę, polka z nogi, wściekła polka

Polkas
are the most typical dances in Rzeszów and Podkarpacie regions, and polka przez nogę (polka bez nogę) is the most popular of them. The tempo is fast, 2/4 metre. In the past, this polka was danced at weddings and village parties. Today, it is always present in the repertoire of local folk ensembles.

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The dance is ordered by a man who pays the basowe payment by dropping it into the basy (double bass) and gives a cue to the musicians. The dance is performed by a single pair, or by a few pairs invited by the ordering dancer. Sometimes the proper dance (whirling) may be preceded by a procession of pairs around the room. Depending on the region, dance steps in polka bez nogę, which was also called wściekła polka (crazy polka), are slightly different. Regardless of the version, the dance is always based on ample rotations performed at an increasing pace, and whirling of pairs along a circle line with polka step counted in three (not in two). Polka bez nogę was often performed in a sequence of other polkas, and was a part of dance parties (for example, ułaniczki) or ceremonies (for example, dances of bridesmaids and best men at wedding parties).

 

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

Nartowska, Lidia. Tańce z okolic Rzeszowa. Warszawa: CPARA, 1967.

Szmyd, Józef. Pieśni i tańce ludowe z okolic Krosna. Warszawa: CPARA, 1961.