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The squat dance (

Russian Russian(s) refers to anything related to Russia, including: *Russians (, ''russkiye''), an ethnic group of the East Slavic peoples, primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries *Rossiyane (), Russian language term for all citizens and peo ...

: прися́дка, ''prisyádka'') is an eastern Slavic folk dance. East Slavic dance arose from millitary Cossack traditions and later has spread as folk dance. The squat dance originated in regions of today's Ukraine. Besides East Slavic-speaking countries, squat dancing is also used to some degree in

Indian Indian or Indians may refer to: Peoples South Asia * Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor ** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country * South Asia ...

and

Hmong Hmong may refer to: * Hmong people, an ethnic group living mainly in Southwest China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand * Hmong cuisine * Hmong customs and culture ** Hmong music ** Hmong textile art * Hmong language, a continuum of closely related to ...

dances. The squat dance is an integral feature of Russian folk culture. With kicks in the air, turns, and stomping movements, it is one of the main elements in Russian fast dances. The squat dance appears in Russian dances such as

Barynya Barynya is a fast Russian folk dance and music. The origins of the Barynya dance developed in the Eurasian region of the Central Russian Upland. The word ''barynya'' (Russian: Барыня, landlady) was used in Old Russian or Rus' lands as a for ...

, Leto, Kalinka,

Yablochko Yablochko (russian: Яблочко, in english "little apple" ) is a of chastushka style and dance, traditionally presented as sailors' dance. The choreographed version of the dance first appeared in the 1926 Reinhold Glière ballet ''The Red P ...

, Trepak,

Kozachok Kozachok ( uk, кoзачо́к) or Kazachok (russian: казачо́к) is a traditional Ukrainian folk dance originating with the Cossacks in the 16th century. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was performed throughout contemporary Ukraine and ...

and others. The squat dance is performed only by males. While dancers squat with folded arms, they kick their legs, alternating between high and low kicks. Accelerating the legs and walking while squatting is common. Some dancers squat with their feet on the ground while others stay on their toes. The dance demands tight muscles and good balance.

History

Squat dance mainly developed out of the culture of the

eastern Slavs The East Slavs are the most populous subgroup of the Slavs. They speak the East Slavic languages, and formed the majority of the population of the medieval state Kievan Rus', which they claim as their cultural ancestor.John Channon & Robert Hud ...

. In Old Russian villages there were contests of dancers held. People bet and typed which dancers would win. The winner either received a material gift or money and the gifts were then shared with the crew. The Squat dance existed in Old Russia as a dance and as a fighting dance.

References

{{Reflist Russian folk dances Russian culture Partial squatting position

History

See also

References