Cocek
Encyclopedia
Čoček is a musical genre and dance
that emerged in the Balkans
during the early 19th century. In English
, it is sometimes referred to as Gypsy brass.
Čoček originated from Ottoman
military bands, which at that time were scattered across the region, mostly throughout Serbia
, Bulgaria
, the Republic of Macedonia
and Romania
. That led to the eventual segmentation and wide range of ethnic sub-styles in čoček. Čoček was handed down through the generations, preserved mostly by Roma ("Gypsy") minorities, and was largely practiced at village weddings and banquets.
Čoček is especially popular among the Moslem Rom and Albanian populations of Kosovo
, South Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia. When Tanec
first came to America in 1956, they performed čoček as a Moslem woman’s dance, "Ќupurlika" from Titov Veles.
The kyuchek, as a common musical form in the Balkans
(primarily Bulgaria and Macedonia), is typically a dance with a 9/8 time signature; two variant forms have the beats divided 2-2-2-3 and 2-2-3-2. (This latter meter is sometimes referred to as "gypsy 9".) Roma musicians living in areas of the former Yugoslavia
have broadened the form to include variations in 4/4 and 7/8.
This music has traditionally been used for belly dancing. In the international folk dance
community, čoček is danced to many melodies. Dances in the čoček genre include Jeni Jol
and Sa Sa.
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
that emerged in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
during the early 19th century. In English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, it is sometimes referred to as Gypsy brass.
Čoček originated from Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
military bands, which at that time were scattered across the region, mostly throughout Serbia
Serbia
Serbia , officially the Republic of Serbia , is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, covering the southern part of the Carpathian basin and the central part of the Balkans...
, Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
, the Republic of Macedonia
Republic of Macedonia
Macedonia , officially the Republic of Macedonia , is a country located in the central Balkan peninsula in Southeast Europe. It is one of the successor states of the former Yugoslavia, from which it declared independence in 1991...
and Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
. That led to the eventual segmentation and wide range of ethnic sub-styles in čoček. Čoček was handed down through the generations, preserved mostly by Roma ("Gypsy") minorities, and was largely practiced at village weddings and banquets.
Čoček is especially popular among the Moslem Rom and Albanian populations of Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
, South Serbia and the Republic of Macedonia. When Tanec
Tanec
Tanec is an eminent professional large folklore musical ensemble from Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. It is considered as an ambassador of the Macedonian folklore tradition worldwide.-History:...
first came to America in 1956, they performed čoček as a Moslem woman’s dance, "Ќupurlika" from Titov Veles.
The kyuchek, as a common musical form in the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
(primarily Bulgaria and Macedonia), is typically a dance with a 9/8 time signature; two variant forms have the beats divided 2-2-2-3 and 2-2-3-2. (This latter meter is sometimes referred to as "gypsy 9".) Roma musicians living in areas of the former Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia refers to three political entities that existed successively on the western part of the Balkans during most of the 20th century....
have broadened the form to include variations in 4/4 and 7/8.
This music has traditionally been used for belly dancing. In the international folk dance
International folk dance
International folk dance is a genre of dance wherein selected folk dances from multiple ethnic groups are done by the same dancers, typically as part of a regular recreational dance club, for performances or at other events. The dances are typically considered the products of national or cultural...
community, čoček is danced to many melodies. Dances in the čoček genre include Jeni Jol
Jeni Jol
Jeni Jol is a Rom folk dance from the region of Skopje, Macedonia.It is a woman's line dance, in 2/4 meter, with a walking rhythm, with sensuous hip tilts. The dancers form a curved line, holding hands, and the dance moves to the dancer's right. The step pattern is 6 measures long...
and Sa Sa.