Çobankat

History

This dance was choreographed by Lee Otterholt based on traditional steps of the Pogonishte dance form. Çobankat means 'shepherdess'. It is a traditional song of the Tosk people of Southern Albania.
I learned this dance from Yves Moreau in 2011.

Rhythm

The music is in a regular 4/4 rhythm. The dance is predominantly slow-quick-quick (2-1-1).

Steps

Start in a line in a W hold, facing centre.

First part (instrumental)

Step to the side with the right (slow), cross the left behind (quick), then replace the right (quick). Repeat this to the left with opposite feet.
Step to the side with the right (slow), cross behind with the left (quick), then step to the side with the right (quick).
Step across in front with the left (slow), step to the side with the right (quick), then cross in front with the left (quick).

Do the first part 2 and 3/4 times - on the third repeat don't do the last slow-quick-quick. You can hear this coming in the music (with practice).

Second part (song verse)

Step forward and slightly across with the left (slow), then bring the right foot around and lift it in front for two bounces (quick-quick).
Step back on the right (slow), cross behind with the left (quick), then step to the side with the right (quick).

Do the second part six times.

Third part (song chorus)

Step across in front with the left (slow), then bounce twice while swinging the right leg round across in front (quick-quick). Repeat this with the opposite feet.
Do the steps of the second part once.
Repeat all of this again, up to raising the right foot in front.
Step back with the right (slow), then lift the left behind the right (slow).
Do the steps of the second part twice, then do one more step forward with the left and lift the right.

There's an instrumental introduction that ends with four measures of drumming, the dance starts with the melody. The sequence runs through three times, the third time the instrumental break starts a bit earlier and you continue doing the second part until the end.

Music