Maslenitsa

What is danced for Maslenitsa

Maslenitsa is the last week before the Great Lent of the Orthodox Church. Meat is already put aside, but butter, eggs and milk are still allowed, so the week is known for pancakes. It is also a farewell to winter. People gather outdoors for sledging, fairs and songs. They join hands in the khorovod, a ring dance that is sung as it turns, and dancers show off in the barynya and the kamarinskaya, with squats, stamps and quick heel work. On the last day a straw figure of winter is burned, and people ask one another for forgiveness.

The dances

KhorovodA sung ring dance, turned round the fire or the straw figure.BarynyaA lively dance of stamping and squatting, done in turn.KamarinskayaA quick folk dance tune and its heel-and-toe steps.