krakowiak from the Suwalki region
Music for download - „Krakowiak from the Suwalki region”
is a dance of folk origin. Since the 18th century, it has been included in the group of Polish national dances, among such dances as polonaise, mazur, kujawiak and oberek.
In the folk tradition, the original names of different krakowiaks were derived either from the way it was danced – e.g. mijany (to pass by), przebiegany (to run past), suwany (to drag your feet) or dreptany (to toddle), or from the name of the place where it was being danced – e.g. Proszowice. The name “krakowiak” was formed in the last quarter of the 18th century due to its presence on theatre stages in the context of rural themes from the Cracow region. However, the musical and choreographic form of the stage version of krakowiak significantly differs from the krakowiaks danced in the countryside.
Krakowiak is a fast dance in duple meter (2/4), played in a syncopated rhythm that gives the impression of acceleration. Krakowiak is characterised by its two-part structure, where the choreography interweaves with short solo folk songs (in their traditional form) and the specific triple stamp that usually closes a musical phrase.
Krakowiak from the Suwałki region differs significantly from the krakowiaks from the Małopolska region (Lesser Poland). Krakowiak from the Suwałki region is danced in a large number of couples with a simple walking step or a polka step, using characteristic elements including: hołubiec (a dance step involving heel clicks while jumping), zakrzesany step or krzesany step (a step in Podhale dances, in which the dancer strikes the heel sharply against the floor and then “throws” the leg to the front or diagonally) and accentuated steps.
