Shota (or Shotë) is an Albanian dance very popular in

Albania Albania ( ; sq, Shqipëri or ), or , also or . officially the Republic of Albania ( sq, Republika e Shqipërisë), is a country in Southeastern Europe. It is located on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas within the Mediterranean Sea and shares ...

and

Kosovo Kosovo ( sq, Kosova or ; sr-Cyrl, Косово ), officially the Republic of Kosovo ( sq, Republika e Kosovës, links=no; sr, Република Косово, Republika Kosovo, links=no), is a partially recognised state in Southeast Euro ...

. It involves synchronised steps, and a strong rhythm. It is commonly played at weddings, folk festivals and other events. During the 20s century this dance was performed in

Serbia Serbia (, ; Serbian: , , ), officially the Republic of Serbia (Serbian: , , ), is a landlocked country in Southeastern and Central Europe, situated at the crossroads of the Pannonian Basin and the Balkans. It shares land borders with Hungar ...

based on the choreography of Olga Skovran, leader (from 1948-1965) of the National Ensemble of Folk Dances and Songs of Serbia "Kolo". The choreography was created in 1952 and was very popular. As a result, even a song was composed with the Shota melody. "Šote, mori šote" was set to music in 1976 in two versions. Both versions were very popular and were often played at celebrations. One

folklore Folklore is shared by a particular group of people; it encompasses the traditions common to that culture, subculture or group. This includes oral traditions such as tales, legends, proverbs and jokes. They include material culture, ranging ...

musical ensemble in SFR Yugoslavia was named Šota.

History

In March 2013 the Assembly of Republic of Kosovo approved a law which makes ‘Shota’ a part of the cultural activities of the National Ensemble of Songs and Dances. Since the time of its inception the community keeps organising events that replicates the dance form Shota and are socially very active in areas of cleanliness, awareness about the dance form and the dress codes related to it.

References

{{reflist Kosovan culture Albanian folk dances