Local versions of social dances of the early 20^th century

Valjala folk dancers,

Aleksander Rüütel (concertina)

Valjala, born in Pöide (1961)

Please update your browser to play media.

NB! Audio may not be available throughout video.

In the video, Valjala folk dancers perform local versions of social dances popular in the early 20^th century: hiawatha, pas d'espagne, rheinländer with alternating partners, polka, krakowiak, two-Step and "Seamen's waltz". Synchronization of the music and dances was difficult mainly because of differences in pace. Accompaniment by Aleksander Rüütel.

First, we drive to the community centre of Valjala in order to find the head of the centre and agree on the filming of the folk dance. The head of the centre, a kind young woman, is home. In some minutes' time the agreement is reached. She promised to have a couple of rehearsals and invite everyone for the filming on Tuesday between 3 and 5 p.m. The dancers are mostly older people, who dance old dances as was done here, in Valjala, in the olden times. (From the field work diary of O. Kõiva, May 31, 1961; Rüütel 2015: 167)

The most serious event of the day was the dance. Aleksander Rüütel's instrumental dance pieces were recorded onto the tape. During filming, the dance was performed to the accompaniment of the tape. There were three couples. The eldest woman was aged 63 and the youngest 41. The excitement that was brought on by their performance made Juhan Lätt exclaim with praise: "The old gals sure know how to dance!" (From the field work diary of O. Kõiva, June 6, 1961; Rüütel 2015: 175)

Video ERA, DV 109–110. Audio RKM, Mgn II 500 f, 501 a, 502 a, c, 500 b, 501 e.