© Folk Dance Federation of California, Inc.  July, 2009                                                         

Dance Research Committee:  Toba Goddard and Cricket Raybern

Raka Andonova

Bulgaria (Dobrudja)

Raka (ruh-KAH ahn-duh-NOH-vah)), meaning  “hand,” was learned by Toba Goddard from Iglika Andonova in Bansko, Bulgaria during August 2008.

CD:                 Jim Gold Int. Folk Dance Tours, Bulgaria 2008, Band 26.        4/4 meter

Video:             You Tube:  Toba Goddard presentation at the 2008 Gypsy Camp North, Camp Sacramento, Twin Bridges, CA.

Formation:     Mixed open circle facing R of ctr, hands joined in W-pos.

Steps and      Many step movements are syncopated, with a touch of the foot on the full

Styling:            count, followed by transfer of full weight on the following ct &.

                        The stamps are slightly toward the center of the circle with the emphasis a little more on the stamping heel than on the full foot.

1                INTRODUCTION.  No action

            PATTERN

1                                Facing R of ctr and moving in LOD, touch flat R ft to floor (ct 1); bend

R knee and take full wt on R (ct &); step L in front of R, touching flat ft

and then bending knee while taking wt (cts 2,&); repeat cts 1,& (cts 3,&);

repeat cts 2,&, but cross L in back of R (cts 4,&).

2                                Facing ctr, sink onto flat-footed R in place (ct 1); bending R knee, take wt on R and

raise bent L knee high (ct &); rpt cts 1,& with opp ftwk (cts 2,,&); step

L,R,L in place (cts 3,&,4).

3                                Step on L in place (ct 1); stamp without wt R beside L (ct &); rpt cts 1,& with opp

ftwk (cts 2,&); step L,R, in place, L cross in front of R lowering hands to V-pos (cts 3,&,4).

Raise arms to W-pos during return on ct 1 of meas 1.

Repeat PATTERN as written to end of music.