Kyrgyz Dance of Cotton-Picking Girls

DANCE OF THE COTTON-PICKING GIRL (BIYI OF THE COTTON GIRL)

The dance of Kyrgyz cotton-picking girls is based on a combination of individual elements of the labor process of cotton harvesting and the movements of cheerful girls. It is designed for three performers and should be performed energetically and with a hint of playfulness.

The elaborate dance composition consists of three parts: the first is lively and cheerful, the second is prolonged and lyrical, and the third is a spirited finale. To lyrical music, the performers come onto the stage and momentarily freeze in beautiful poses.

When performing the dance, special attention should be paid to the position of the hands, especially the wrists, whose movements are complicated and largely interconnected with the dance style of Uzbek choreography. This emphasizes the closeness of the dance to one of the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan, the cotton-growing area of the Osh region.

The dance of the cotton-picking girl, staged by choreographer M. Aeylbashov to the music of S. Medetov, is included in the repertoire of the Kyrgyz dance ensemble.
Costumes of the performers

The costume consists of a dress, a vest (chyphtama), and a hat (topu). The dress is made of silk, nylon, tulle, or batiste, with long flared sleeves and a slit. The length of the dress is twenty centimeters from the floor. The vest is made of dense fabric: velvet, corduroy, or wool, in a deep dark green color. The headgear is a hat (topu), decorated with a feathered sultan. The hair is braided into two braids. The shalvars are made of light soft fabric. The shoes are white heels with a medium heel. Jewelry includes beads, bracelets, and rings.

Description of the Dance

The starting position is for the performers (1, 2, and 3) to simultaneously enter from the upper right wing with simple steps, moving diagonally towards the lower left wing and stopping in the center of the stage in a pose (fig. 185—185 a)

The performers enter to the music of the first 4 bars of the introduction.

In bars 5—7 of the introduction, the second performer (in the center) rises onto her toes, opens her arms to the sides, while the first and third performers make turns (sutenu in a circle, fig. 186) and take poses at the end of the introduction (fig. 187).

1st part

1—2 bars
The performers move in a circle, clockwise, changing places with "movement 1". The steps and hand movements (fig. 188).

3—4 bars
The performers continue to move in a circle, clockwise, changing places with "movement 1", while the first performer enters the center (fig. 189).

5—6 bars
The performers continue to move in a circle, clockwise, changing places with "movement 1", while the third performer enters the center (fig. 190).

At the end of the 6th bar, the performers line up facing the audience (fig. 190 a).

7th bar
The performer makes "movement 2" in the center of the stage with the right foot,
one-and opens the right hand to the side, to the second position, palm facing away, places the left hand on the hip with the back of the palm, and turns the head to the right shoulder (fig. 191).
two-and Closes the right hand to the left shoulder, while the left hand retains the position of one-and, and turns the head to the left shoulder (fig. 192).

8th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 7th bar.
9th bar
The performers do "movement 1", standing in line. Simultaneously, they perform hand movements:
one-and opens the right hand to the side, to the second position, performs a rotating movement with the wrist away from the body, presses the left hand with the back of the palm to the left thigh, and turns the head to the right shoulder (fig. 193). 
two-and presses the right hand with the palm to the chest, opens the left hand to the side, to the second position, performs a rotating movement with the wrist away from the body, and turns the head to the left shoulder (fig. 194).

10th bar
The performers continue to perform "movement 1". Simultaneously, they perform hand movements:
one-and performs a rotating movement with the left hand away from the body, presses the right hand with the palm to the chest, and turns the head to the left shoulder (fig. 194).
two-and places the left hand with the palm on the chest.
11th bar
one-and The performers move "movement 1" in line in the center of the stage. At the same time, they turn their heads to the right shoulder, pressing their hands with palms to the chest (fig. 195).
two-and The performers move "movement 1" in line in the center of the stage. At the same time, they turn their heads to the left shoulder, pressing their hands with palms to the chest (fig. 196).

12th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 11th bar.
13th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 9th bar.
14th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 10th bar.
15th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 11th bar.
16th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 12th bar.
17th bar
The performers move "movement 1" in a circle, counterclockwise (fig. 197). Simultaneously, they perform hand movements:
one-and moves the right hand through a slightly elevated first position ("cotton gathering"),
two-and takes the left hand to a slightly elevated first position, turns the head to the left shoulder (fig. 197 a).

18th bar
The performers continue to move "movement 1" in a circle, counterclockwise (fig. 197). Simultaneously, they perform hand movements:
one-and opens the right hand to the side,
two-and to the second slightly elevated position, palm down, holds the left hand in a slightly elevated first position, and turns the head to the right shoulder (fig. 198).
19th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 17th bar.
20th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 18th bar. In the last quarter of the 20th bar, the performers line up at the level of the upper wings in pose (fig. 199).

21st bar
The performers move "movement 3. Dip" in line towards the front stage. Simultaneously, they perform hand movements:
one-and turns the head to the right shoulder and snaps fingers (fig. 200).
two-and turns the head to the left shoulder and snaps fingers (fig. 200 a).

22nd bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 21st bar.
23rd bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 22nd bar.
24th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 23rd bar.
In the last quarter of the 24th bar, the performers come into pose (fig. 201). Place the right foot flat on the floor, the left foot behind on the toes, open the arms to the sides, to the second position, palms facing down, to the floor, head straight.
25th bar
The performers transition into pose, into the 4th position.
one-and Step left with the left foot to the side, bring the right foot through the first position back into the fourth position.
two-and At the same time, take the left hand in front of you to a slightly elevated first position, bring the right hand in front of you through the first position and finish the movement of the hand with the palm forward (fig. 202, movements of the hands and feet are shown in development).
Turn the head to the left shoulder.

26th bar
The performers make a shoulder movement.
one-and Turn the head to the left shoulder. Raise the left shoulder up and lower the left shoulder down.
two-and Repeat the movements of "one-and". The performers make the movements of the 25th bar, starting the movements with the right foot (fig. 202 a).
27th bar
Turn the head to the right shoulder.

28th bar
The performers make a shoulder movement. Turn the head to the right shoulder,
one-and Raise the right shoulder up and lower the right shoulder down.
two-and Repeat the movements of "one-and".
29th bar
The performers move "movement 1" one behind the other towards the right middle wing, snapping fingers. Raise the left hand to the 3rd position, take the right hand behind the back, and turn the head to the right shoulder (fig. 203).
30th bar
The performers move "movement 1" one behind the other towards the left middle wing, snapping fingers. Raise the right hand to the 3rd position, take the left hand behind the back, and turn the head to the left shoulder (fig. 203 a).

31st bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 29th bar.
32nd bar
The performers move "movement 1" to the front stage, facing the audience, snapping fingers. Raise the right hand to the 3rd position, open the left hand to the side, to the second position, head straight (fig. 204).

33rd bar
The performers turn in place over the right shoulder (fig. 204 a). The turn is shown in development (fig. 205 a, b, c).

34th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 33rd bar.
35th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 34th bar.
36th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 35th bar.
37th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 30th bar.
38th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 29th bar (fig. 206).

39th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 30th bar.
40th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 32nd bar. 
41st bar
The performers move diagonally from the upper right wing to the lower left wing "movement 3". Simultaneously, the hands perform the movement:
one-and open the hands to a slightly lowered 2nd position and gather them in front,
two-and open the hands to the 2nd position with bent wrists upwards, turn the head to the right shoulder (fig. 207 a, b, c).

42nd bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 41st bar.
43rd bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 42nd bar.
44th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 43rd bar.

45th bar
The performers move "movement 1" in a circle, counterclockwise (fig. 208) and turn around themselves. Simultaneously, the hands perform movements:
one-and repeat the movement of one-and in the 17th bar,
two-and repeat the movement of two-and in the 17th bar.
46th bar
The performers move "movement 1" in a circle, counterclockwise and turn around themselves (fig. 208). Simultaneously, the hands perform movements:
one-and repeat the movements of one-and in the 18th bar,
two-and repeat the movements of two-and in the 18th bar.
47th bar
The performers continue to move "movement 1" in a circle, counterclockwise (fig. 208). Simultaneously, the hands perform movements:
one-and holds the left hand in a slightly elevated first position,
two-and slowly brings the right hand in a semicircle through the first position (fig. 208 a, b), as if wiping sweat from the forehead.
48th bar
The performers continue to move "movement 1" in a circle, counterclockwise (fig. 208). Simultaneously, the hands perform movements:
one-and holds the left hand in a slightly elevated first position,
two-and brings the right hand through the third position and opens it to the second position, palm up (fig. 208 c).

49th bar
The performers turn their backs to the audience with "movement 1" (fig. 209 a). Simultaneously, they perform movements with their hands:
one-and repeat the movements of one-and in the 17th bar,
two-and repeat the movements of two-and in the 17th bar.
50th bar
The performers turn to face the audience with "movement 1" (fig. 209 b). Simultaneously, they perform movements with their hands:
one-and repeat the movements of one-and in the 18th bar
two-and repeat the movements of two-and in the 18th bar.
51st bar
The performers turn their backs to the audience with "movement 1". Simultaneously, they perform movements with their hands: one-and repeat the movements of one-and in the 47th bar
two-and repeat the movements of two-and in the 47th bar.
52nd bar
The performers turn to face the audience with "movement 1". Simultaneously, they perform movements with their hands:
one-and repeat the movements of one-and in the 48th bar
two-and repeat the movements of two-and in the 48th bar (fig. 209 c)

53rd bar
The performers make "movement 4, Ambuate", starting with the right foot. (fig. 210 a, b).

54th bar
one-and Rise onto the toes in a natural position, take the hands to the right, turn the head to the right shoulder (fig. 210 c).
two-and Move the hands through the second and third positions to the left, turn the head to the left shoulder (fig. 211 a, b, c).

55th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 53rd bar.
56th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 54th bar.
57th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 55th bar.
58th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 56th bar.
59th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 57th bar.
60th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 58th bar.
61st—64th bars
The performers, holding hands with the right hand, run with simple steps in a circle, clockwise ("star", Fig. 212).

In the last quarter of the 64th bar, the performers make a turn ("sutenu" over the right shoulder (fig. 213 a, b, c) and come into pose (fig. 214).

2nd part
65th bar
The performers slowly squat, lowering their hands (fig. 215 a, b, c).

66th bar
The performers slowly rise up.
67th bar
The performers take steps back, facing the upper wings,
one- step back with the right foot. Hand position (fig. 216 a).
two- step back with the left foot. Hand position (fig. 216 b.)
three- step back with the right foot. Hand position (fig. 216 a.)
four- stand in the third position, right foot in front. Hand position in the III position (fig. 216 c, 217 a)

68th bar
Body bending (port de bras)
one- make a lunge with the left foot into a half-squat to the side of the right middle wing, stretch the right leg back with the toe on the floor. Take the right hand to the second slightly rounded position, open the left hand to the side, turn the head to the right hand (fig. 217 b).
two- deepen the body bend,
three- turn the body and bend back, standing on the right leg, stretch the left leg in front on the toe, take the right hand to the third position, open the left hand to the second position, turn the head to the left shoulder (fig. 217 c).
four- deepen the body bend.
69th bar
The performers take 4 steps, starting with the right foot, diagonally towards the lower left wing, bending the body back, take the right hand to the third position, open the left hand to the second position, turn the head to the left shoulder (fig. 218).

70th bar
The performers move with small steps (pas de bourrée) in the sixth position in the following pattern: the 1st performer moves diagonally to the lower left wing, hands in front, palms down, the 2nd performer moves towards the lower right wing, left hand in the third position, right hand in front, head turned to the left shoulder, the 3rd performer moves towards the upper left wing, right hand in the third position, left hand in front, head turned to the right shoulder (fig. 219).

71st bar
The performers change places in the following pattern: the 1st performer moves diagonally with her back to the upper right wing, the 2nd and 3rd performers change places (fig. 220).

72nd bar
The performers change places in the following pattern: the 1st performer continues moving diagonally facing the lower left wing, the 2nd and 3rd performers change places (fig. 221).

73rd bar
The performers change places in the following pattern: the 1st performer continues moving diagonally facing the lower left wing, the 2nd and 3rd performers change places.
74th bar
The performers move with small steps (pas de bourrée) in the sixth position diagonally towards the upper right wing with their backs, turning the head to the left shoulder, raising the hands in front (fig. 222).

75th bar
The performers, holding hands, make port de bras facing the circle (fig. 223).

76th—77th bars
The performers, holding hands, make port de bras backward (fig. 224).

In the last quarter of the 77th bar, the performers line up facing the audience (fig. 225).
III part
78th bar
The performers move "movement 1" towards the middle left wing. Simultaneously, they perform hand movements:
one-and raise the hands to the third open position and perform two wrist rotations in a circle, turning the head to the right shoulder.
two-and repeat the wrist movements on "one-and" (fig. 225).

79th bar
The performers move "movement 1" towards the middle right wing. Simultaneously, they perform hand movements:
one-and raise the hands to the third open position and perform two wrist rotations out of the circle, turning the head to the left shoulder.
two-and repeat the wrist movements on "two-and" (fig. 226).

80th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 78th bar.
81st bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 79th bar. In the last quarter of the 81st bar, the performers come into pose (fig. 227).

82nd bar The performers move with small steps (pas de bourrée) in the sixth position in the following pattern: the 1st performer moves diagonally towards the lower left wing, the 2nd and 3rd performers change places (fig. 228).

83rd bar
The performers move with small steps (pas de bourrée) in the sixth position in the following pattern: the 1st performer moves diagonally to the upper right wing with her back, the 2nd performer moves diagonally to the upper right wing with her back, the 3rd performer moves to the lower left wing (fig. 229).
84th bar
The performers move with small steps (pas de bourrée) in the sixth position in the following pattern: the 1st performer moves diagonally to the upper right wing with her back, the 2nd and 3rd performers change places (fig. 230).

85th bar
The performers move with small steps (pas de bourrée) in the sixth position in the following pattern: the 1st performer moves diagonally to the upper right wing with her back, the 2nd and 3rd performers change places (fig. 231).

86th bar
The performers move with small steps (pas de bourrée) in the sixth position in the following pattern: the 1st performer moves to the center of the stage, the 2nd and 3rd performers change places (fig. 232).

87th bar
The performers move with small steps (pas de bourrée) in the sixth position in the following pattern: the 1st performer moves towards the lower left wing, the 2nd and 3rd performers change places (fig. 233).

88th—93rd bars
The performers move "movement 3. Dip" backward towards the upper wings. Simultaneously, the hands perform movements, starting from the preparatory position (fig. 234),

gradually rising to the third position (fig. 235 a, b, c, movement shown in development) and in the last quarter of the 93rd bar, open the hands to the sides, to the second position, raising the wrists up (fig. 236).

94th bar
The performers transition into pose, into the 4th position.
one-and step right with the right foot to the side, bring the left hand through the first position back into the fourth position.
two-and at the same time, raise the right hand to the third position, palm up, take the left hand in front of you to the first position, palm away from you, turn the head to the right shoulder (fig. 237).

95th bar
The performers make shoulder movements. Turn the head to the right shoulder,
one-and push the right shoulder forward, then the left shoulder.
two-and repeat the shoulder movements on "one-and".
96th bar
The performers perform "movement 1" in place in line. Simultaneously, they perform the hand movements of the 9th bar (fig. 238).

97th bar
The performers perform "movement 1" in place in line. Simultaneously, they perform the hand movements of the 10th bar (fig. 239).
98th bar
The performers perform "movement 1" in place in line. Simultaneously, they perform the hand movements of the 11th bar (fig. 240).

99th bar
The performers perform "movement 1" in place facing the circle. Simultaneously, they perform hand movements:
one-and clap from top to bottom while moving the hands (fig. 241 a, b, c, movement is shown in development).
two-and snap fingers (fig 242)

100th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 99th bar.
101st bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 100th bar, with the performer in the center facing the audience, while the other performers face inward (fig. 243).

102nd bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 101st bar.
103rd bar
The performers move "movement 1" in a circle, counterclockwise. At the same time, raise the right hand up, to the third position, take the left hand back. Turn the head to the left shoulder. The performers snap fingers (fig. 244).

104th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 103rd bar.
105th bar
The performers move "movement 1" in a circle, clockwise. At the same time, raise the left hands up, to the third position, take the right hand back, turn the head to the right shoulder. The performers snap fingers (fig. 245).

106th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 105th bar.
107th—114th bars
The performers hold each other's elbows with the right hand, open the left hand to the side, to the 2nd position, and move with small steps in the sixth position (pas de bourrée) in a circle, clockwise for 2 circles ("star", Fig. 246).
In the last quarter, they line up facing the audience.

115th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 53rd bar (fig. 210 a, b, c).
116th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 54th bar (fig. 211 d, b, c).
117th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 115th bar.
118th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 116th bar.
119th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 117th bar.
120th bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 118th bar.
121st bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 119th bar.
122nd bar
The performers repeat the movements of the 120th bar.
123rd—125th bars
The performers make three turns over the left shoulder, emphasizing the opening of the right hand to the second position, sideways to the audience (fig. 247 and 248, turns shown in development).


In the last quarter of the 125th bar, the performers sit in pose, on the left knee, raising the right hand to the third position with the palm up, opening the left hand to the second position, to the side, with the bent wrist away from the body, turning the head to the right shoulder (fig. 249).

Description of Movements

Movement 1.
Performed on 1/4 of a bar.
Musical meter 2/4.
Starting position — feet in the 6th position,
one-and make a step with the right foot in the 6th position and simultaneously place the left foot on the heel transitioning to the full foot. The movement can be performed with the other foot.

Movement 2.
Performed on 2/4 of a bar.
Musical meter 2/4.
Starting position — natural position of the feet.
one-and stand on the right foot on the toes, press the left foot behind the right foot with the heel.
two-and stand on the left foot flat in a half-squat, place the right foot to the side on the heel.
The movement can be performed with the other foot.

Movement 3. Dip.
Performed on 1/4 of a bar.
Musical meter 2/4.
Starting position — feet in the 3rd position, right foot in front
pick up slightly on the toes of the left foot, separating the right foot from the floor,
one make an outward step with the right foot forward on the full foot, slightly squatting. The left leg, bending at the knee, separates from the floor and is brought back with the foot to the right leg.
and The left leg is lowered behind the right leg on the toes, bent at the knee. The weight of the body shifts to the left leg. The right leg in front separates from the floor, the knee is free, and the foot is free. The movement can also be performed to the side and back.

Movement 4. Ambuate
Performed on 2/4 of a bar.
Musical meter 2/4.
Starting position — feet in a natural position, hands in a preparatory position.
one-and make a jump on the right foot into a half-squat, the left foot slightly extended back. Direct the hands to the right, turn the head to the right shoulder.
two-and make a jump on the left foot into a half-squat, the right foot slightly extended back. Direct the hands to the left, turn the head to the left shoulder.