This dance called as Pshi Qafa or sometimes Worq Qafa. Qafa is a general name for slow paced Circassian rhythms and dances. There are many variations of the dance but the basic figures are the same for all. Kabardians had a feudal system with highly sophisticated class hierarchy. It's generally believed Qafa first emerged as a courtesy dance of noble class. The dancers in the first part represent Worqs which equal Lords in Western Feudalism. And the couple showed up later represents Pshi which means Prince/Princess in Circassian and was the highest social class in Kabardian society. The high-heel shoes are the symbol of aristocrat families and show the woman's status in the society as only noble women were allowed to wear this type of shoes. She only accepts to dance with a man from the same class as she is and takes off the shoes to accept the dance offer. A member of lower class can't invite a higher class person for dancing. The figures during the dance were mostly inspired from animals. Generally man represents eagle and woman represents swan. Nobles don't touch their skins during the dance out of respect that's why the long sleeves are used. Most people think that's because of Islamic influences but it's completely wrong and unrelated. Circassian dances have been core part of their culture long before Islam reached the region. There are many Circassian dances where couples touch each other including several Qafa variations. The man shows his endurance and determination to the woman as dance en pointe is painful and requires high self-discipline. Man has to follow woman around the scene as she controls the dance and he needs to keep straight form while moving. The message of the man here is I can face and bear any hardship for you. Most of the figures are precise and elegant in this performance but ordinary people perform this dance in a more relaxed forms. Western Circassian tribes where aristocracy and feudalism are not seen or developed as much as Kabardians were much later adapted Qafa variations and their use-case is much different than Kabardians. Different Qafa variations are still very popular amongst Circassians and performed as a romantic courtship dance today.
In Russian this costume's called "Tscherkesska" which means "Tscherkessian or Circassian" So originally it was a Circassian costume later it was adopted by most nations in the Northern Caucasus, even adopted by the Georgians in the South Caucasus and Russian Cossacks. It's a military costume and at the same time an everyday whole day costume That's why it's perfect for riding horses, sword fighting, and the usual everyday work. The stripes on the chest, theses are gun powder holders, as for the long sleeves, in the Circassian culture it represents a state of peace, when the sleeves are folded it's means it's fighting time.
In english the 'gun powder holders' are often called chargers. They hold not only pre-measured black powder charge, but also a lead ball/projectile used in loading the gun. Such muzzle loading weapons are still popular for hunting and target practice and often are less regulated.
This performance is simply mesmerizing. Watch the complete video so there are no interruptions. I get goosebumps every time i watch it. Between the choreography, costumes, music. Best dance video ever.
this is a 'folk ballet' that is 'representing' the dance traditions from the Circassian ethnic group in the north Caucasus region that the Russian Empire conquered. Sadly during that time the Circassian peoples were forced out of the ancestral lands and had to disperse into other countries for shelter. The remaining peoples are living in a smaller area then what used to be their territories. The costumes they are wearing are similar to the many other Caucasian ethnic groups. The men in the regions of Georgia and Circassia can be found dancing on the knuckles of their feet. The lead female dancer comes out on wooden platform shoes that has an 'oriental' tradition. Women would wear them outdoors to keep their dresses from touching the floors and streets and can also be found when they go into bath houses. You will find this special foot wear tradition in the Turkish regions. Yes for this performance was used 'canned' music as the orchestra in the background performed in other sections of the concert.
Peoples of that general ethnic group have been displaced at least one other time if not more. A group in Latin called Alani entered the later Roman empire ahead of the Huns. They worked as mercenaries for the Romans as far west it is said as Hadrian's wall in north England. There were famous horsemen. They had a kingdom in Iberia until the Visigoths drove them and the Vandals south to north africa. In Spain to this very day are dogs called alanos and also in france for Alaunts. In the mountains of Morocco there are fair haired and light skin people to this day from both the Vandal and Alan genes that remain. The language is said to be a persian dialect. The original Aryans entered Iran from the north. Iran sort of means the land of the Aryans. On their chest the men are wearing what are supposed to be chargers for a muzzle loading long arm. But those look more decorative than functional, but then they only dance with swords and daggers. Essentially the cossack costume is not so different with the exception of the long sleeves maybe.
the original video has a serious sync problem, the music is heard too late. This problem is solved in the video titled "Ensemble "Kabardinka" - prince dance "Uork kafa", which was released later 👍
Could you also examine the other famous dance of the Circassians, Sheshen? This link I sent is the most beautiful sheshen choreography. It was developed by the Circassian diaspora in Turkey, and over time it had slightly different figures from the homeland of Circassia, but it is basically the same dance. İn the homeland it is called Laperise, while in Turkey it is known as sheshen. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IJY3ezcxvFA.html
The link you provided is not Sheshen dance and has nothing to do with it, Sheshen means Chechen dance, or what we call today Lezginka, which has much faster pace, more aggressive movements and totally different choreography..
Thank you all for the information but sheshen dance doesn't mean chichen but it means to behave or show one's self like a horse , she is a horse shen is behaveour.
For women, such long-sleeved clothing is seen almost exclusively in the Kabardian tribe among Circassian societies. In Kabardian society, it was considered shameful and ridiculous for those who belonged to a "noble family" to do business. Therefore, women who were members of the noble family wore such long-sleeved dresses as a symbol of nobility in the sense of "hands that do not need to do work". Some women even wore very large fingerless gloves instead, which kept the whole hand inside like a purse.
Here are the rehearsal video's for this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qzgBlJAAWa4.html Dance studio ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-F3CFax8pkTU.html Dress backstage
Well, the long sleeves: First of all, this is called a princely dance. Like the rich and the elite of that region. Those weren't supposed to show any emotions. That is why none smiles. No touching was allowed hence the long sleeves of the man and woman. Also, no skin to show. This was their customs at the time. Max touch was in the dance when the guy riched out his hand (sleeves covered it) and she came off that wooden slippers and back on it. They all had partners but no touching was permitted nor any facial expressions. Also, these aren't soldiers these were the swords they wear back then like many other nations or the Americans the guns in the late 1800s. It was for their own personal protection. BTW there are no markings but routine only (practice!) There is a video about it too. It's Kafa, not Qafa. Handmade clothes of course it's expensive just like those of the Scottish uniforms. Dude with your analysis you sound a little dumb sorry to say that. Those wooden slippers aren't for walking but for sliding in small steps so they don't lift their feet off the ground. Yes, royalty nobility the upper class. Yeah, the music is modern with electronic-sounding instruments but the dance is old and traditional. To analyze this you need a little knowledge about different customs and people around the world and their cultures and a little history. Just as you sit down in front of this video not knowing what where why you make a very poor analysis. To have more people to sub for you I suggest arming yourself with a little knowledge before you dig in and sounding .... you know what! lol.
I didn't say they were soldiers, knucklehead. I said the costumes were derived (effing obviously) from military garb. Show me a source that the long sleeves had anything to do with "not touching," the military sources I read, from which these costumes WERE DERIVED, were long for protection and warmth. Had nothing to do with customs. I in no way implied I needed insight into the dancer's emotional take on the dance, don't know why you think that. Marking spots on floor IS NOT, for practice only. You know how I know that? I was General manager of a live theatre for 6 years. I didn't say if the wooden shoes were made for walking or not. I didn't say the music was modern sounding, I said it should be appropriated. How Qafa is phonetically translated can vary, of course, but Qafa is the most common one. Dude, you sound like an idiot when you are hearing things I didn't say. ru-vid.com?search_query=circassian+qafa+dance
Academic paper on the military garb FROM WHICH THE COSTUMES ARE DERIVED. www.academia.edu/5878429/Circassian_Costumes?email_work_card=interaction-paper
@@overanalyzed I'm glad you looked it up after many people accurately commented on and you learned it. Well, I hope you did. Like myself don't be ashamed to learn I do too on a daily bases. Like the saying goes like this: a smart priest learns till he dies and he dies a stupid man. Through the internet the world is open and so much to see and learn just endless ... got to love it.
@@overanalyzed It's a custom you closterfuck. If you want to criticize cultures and people and different customs then educate yourself so you won't look so fucking dumb. First, arm yourself with knowledge before you try to educate others. You got schooled by people who knew this and then you just realized how stupid you sounded. The desperate way you try to make money. You have to work harder and back up your stupid conclusion. Remember 1 thing: You are open to millions of people and there will be always somebody who knows better than you! If I were you I would think those who wrote take the time and educate you and correct you. Try to analyze Marilyn Mensen's videos. PS: When you defending yourself and using foul language is your weakness and your channel will not take off cause people ain't interested in a dumb dude's criticism. 🤣🤮🤪💩👎🖕
The orchestra isn’t there to play for them. They are only watching the performance which is only a performance during the event. What is so difficult to know?
