Body, Shoulders, Head in Kyrgyz Dance
In Kyrgyz women's dance, the dancer's body is free, calm, and straight. The body can be gently turned in movement, and can be slightly tilted forward or to the sides. Turns and changes of position are made softly, smoothly, without jerks. At the same time, quick and sharp turns can occur in women's Kyrgyz dance, especially in a game like "Kyz Kuu May" ("Catch the Girl"), where the girl is as agile as the young man.
In men's dance, the body is more rigid, straight, without sharp bends or inclines. Men's dance often includes jumps with bent knees, with a lunge onto the knee, and so on. This requires considerable skill from the performers.
There are many variations of steps and movements in Kyrgyz dance.
We will describe some of them.
Movement 1. "Basic Women's Step".
Simple small steps from the toe to the whole foot. Executed in the 6th position, meaning the toes are always directed forward, the knees are either free or slightly bent with each step. Steps are made on every eighth beat (time signature — 6/8).
With this step, the dancer can move forward and backward, turn to the right or left, and make small circles.
When the tempo increases, this same step can transition into a light run, but the character of the step remains: the dancer will perform a short light step from the toe.
Movement 2. "Light Run".
In Kyrgyz dance, there are two types of running.
1st type. Simple light run.
Steps are performed on the balls of the feet, the knees are free.
2nd type. Men's run.
While running, the performer immediately lifts the other leg forward, the knee bent, directed forward, the foot free. This run creates the impression of galloping on a horse.
Movement 3. "Alternating Step Forward with Pulling the Free Leg to the Supporting Leg".
The main difference of this alternating step from others is that simultaneously with the first step, the other leg is pulled from behind with the toe to the heel of the supporting leg.
Starting position — 6th position of the legs:
Musical meter — 3/4. one
Step forward with the right foot from the toe to the whole foot, the knee is free. At the same time, gently, without jerks, pull the left leg with the toe from behind to the heel of the right leg, the knee bent and directed forward.
Step with the left foot behind the right onto the balls of the feet. Slightly lift the right leg, free at the knee, from the floor, with a non-extended foot.
Step forward with the right foot from the toe to the whole foot, the knee is free. The left leg remains in place (see Fig. 42).
The movement continues with the left leg. It is performed calmly, smoothly, without jolts or stops.
This same alternating step in the dance "Kiyiz" is performed somewhat differently, with the first step being wider — on the heel, without transitioning to the foot.
Musical meter — 6/8.
With the right foot, straightened at the knee, slide the heel along the floor, extending it widely forward on the heel, as if pushing the felt spread on the ground.
Bend the left leg at the knee, lift the heel off the floor, two Step onto the balls of the left foot behind the heel of the right. Slightly lift the free right leg from the floor, three Make a small step forward with the right foot onto the balls of the feet.
The movement continues with the left leg,
In both women's and men's dances, various transitions, sways, and steps from the toe are present.
In the dance "Kiyiz," after three steps to the side, the dancer places the free leg next to the supporting one in the 6th position and gently squats.
Musical meter — 6/8.
A slightly turned side step with the right foot onto the whole foot.
Step forward with the left foot to the right, crossing over the right onto the whole foot, the knee is free.
A slightly turned side step with the right foot onto the whole foot.
Place the left foot next to the right in the 6th position, gently bend the knees. Slightly tilt the body to the left, the head towards the left shoulder.
Pause.
The movement continues with the left leg.
Especially widespread is the combination of steps, running with hand movements, and rotational movements of the wrists. It is performed over four beats.
For example, "triple side step with hand movement." Starting position — 6th position of the legs. The arms are freely lowered down.
1st beat
Step right with the right foot. Slightly spread the arms to the sides, palms facing away.
2nd beat
Place the left foot in the 6th position, bend the knees. The wrists, palms directed down.
3rd beat
Step forward with the right foot, simultaneously raise the arms to the 2nd position.
4th beat
Tilt the body. Raise the left hand to the 3rd position with the palm up, the right hand to the 2nd position. Tilt the head to the right. Perform the movement with the left foot to the left.
As we have already mentioned, in women's dance, great attention is paid to hand movements. For example, "movement forward with covering the face" is performed softly and elegantly.
At the same time, in women's dance, there can be steps from the heel and a swift run.
In men's dance, broad sweeping movements predominate, which are performed energetically and strongly.
For example, "steps with hops".
The performer steps onto low balls of the feet, lifting the bent knee off the floor, and hops after each step.
Starting position — 6th position.
Musical meter — 2/4.
Step forward with the right foot onto low balls of the feet, the knee slightly bent. The left leg, bent at the knee, is raised not high forward, the foot is free.
A small hop on the low balls of the right foot, the knee bent. The left leg remains in the same position.
Step forward with the left foot, as on the count of "one".
A small hop on the left foot, as on the count of "one-and".
"Steps with hops" are often combined with a light run: after two steps with hops, there follow four running steps.
Steps with hops can be performed in a circle, in a straight line, side to side, or in place while rotating.
A very characteristic movement is "swings with hops." It is performed over two beats.
Starting position — 1st position of the legs, arms placed behind the waist.
1st beat
Step right with the right foot to the side.
Hop on the right foot and simultaneously lift the left leg to the left (45°). Extend the knees and toes.
Two Step left with the left foot to the left — to the side.
Hop on the left foot, simultaneously lift the right leg to the right (45°). Extend the knees and toes.
2nd beat
Jump on both feet.
Squat after the jump into the 2nd position.
Jump with a simultaneous turn of 180°.
Squat into the 2nd position.
In men's dances, various hops with claps, with lunges onto the knee, predominate. For example, "lunge onto the knee with a subsequent jump," performed over two beats.
Starting position — 1st position of the legs, arms spread in the 2nd position, fingers clenched into fists.
1st beat
Lower onto the right knee, turning to the left. Raise the left hand above the head, the right hand in front, fingers clenched into fists, turn the head to the right.
Rise.
Repeat the movements performed on "one" in the opposite direction, starting with the other leg.
Rise.
2nd beat
Step back with the left foot to the left.
Place the right foot in front of the left crossing over and simultaneously turn left 360°.
Jump forward on the right foot, bend the left knee, lift it back (45°).
Sit on both feet and straighten up.
Men perform a wide variety of jumps in dance: with both legs drawn up, with one leg extended forward, with jumping from one leg to another.
In men's dance, there are also positions where the dancers compete with each other. For example, two young men perform "overthrow." The movement is performed over two beats.
Starting position — the dancers stand facing each other, legs in a natural position, arms free.
Lift the right leg forward (25°). The arms
Make a big step forward with the right foot. The legs of the girl and the young man are placed next to each other with the backs of the feet touching. At the same time, the right hands join in a "lock".
Jump, pushing off with the right legs and "throwing" each other upwards.
Sit on the left foot in place of the partner (switching places) and lower the arms.
Straighten up.
If the previous movement is characterized by a sense of "air," then the movement "wrestling-kuresh" is more "grounded" due to the initial preparatory steps-movements of the dancers. At the same time, the final movement of "wrestling-kuresh" should contrast with its preparatory step.
"Wrestling-kuresh" is performed over two beats of music.
Starting position — the dancers stand facing each other, holding both hands on the partner's waist (arms crossed, right hand under the left). Tilt the head towards the partner's left shoulder.
1st beat
Step forward with the right foot, while the partner steps back with the left foot.
Step forward with the left foot, while the partner steps back with the right foot.
Repeat the movement as on "one" of the 1st beat.
A high jump on the right foot forward (sison), lift the left leg, bent at the knee, back at 90°. Simultaneously, the partner, slightly squatting on both legs, seems to "throw" the one executing the jump.
In paired dances, girls and young men most often perform movements like swings, jointly executing fast runs and games of catching each other. Often, the young male dancers form a circle, as if constructing a yurt, while the girls appear in the dance from its center, as if stepping out for a festive celebration.
The dance examples we provide contain a large number of dance elements.
Mastering them will help performers not only accurately convey the style and manner of Kyrgyz dance but also create a dance repertoire that will allow choreographers to fantasize and compose new combinations of movements, thereby enriching Kyrgyz folk dance.