Baztango Mutil Dantzak Workshop - Nov. 2009

Our dance workshop for the dances from the Baztan region of Nafarroa was conducted by our visiting Basque country instructor Patxi Larralde who has developed a system for the teaching of these dances and Javier Larralde.

Javier Larralde Instructor:
Patxi Larralde

Musician:
Javier Larralde

About Mutil Dantzak

Mutil-dantzak literally means boys dances, in which young people dance in a circle open. Based on the name, it appears these dances were originally for young unmarried men. Female participation in these dances during the official festivals is controversial with some in favor and others opposed.

Traditionally the towns of the valley of Baztan in Nafarroa have had dancing holidays, when these dances are performed. There are nineteen dances, but not all are danced at the same time. The choreographic repertoire seems very old, if one takes into account the content of motor steps, very simple but multiple combinations, and the qualifications of many of the dances, alluding to issues of rural areas primarily related to animals and especially with birds. These dances share some things in common with the iantziak-dances from the Iparralde or northern, French side of the Basque country and in the village of Luzaide in Navarre.

Basic Steps

Erdizke

Erdizke, pike, eskuak

Eskuin batekin

Erdi piketu bi puntu

Erdizke Pike

Ezker batekin

Eskuin eta hiru

Erdizke ta hiru

Aunitz Urtez

The usual first dance to begin the "mutil dantzak" of Baztan is Aunitz Urtez. The dancers come out to form a circle, and as they do so they greet the audience with the exclamation "Aunitz urtez" which translates as "for many years." Then second part is for each dancer to turn to the dancer behind as they exchange greetings.

Part I: Greetings to all

Part II: Exchange of greetings

Hiru Puntukoa + Billantziko

These two dances are often melded together, using similar steps that are repeated. Below you have the audio as well as video clips for learning and dancing these dance, including the sheet music.

Hiru Puntukoa

Regular Steps

Hiru Puntukoa ezker hiruekin

Billantziko

Billantziko - 5th part

Hiru puntukoa + Billantziko as taught in workshop

Hiru puntukoa Order

Billantziko Order

I through IX (9x)
Erdizke
Eskuin ta hiru (bg)
Ezker batekin
Eskuin batekin

X (middle part; 2x)
Erdizke A>G
Eskuin ta hiru (bg) G>A
Ezker hirukin (bg)
Eskuin batekin

XI--XXI (11x)
Erdizke A>G
Eskuin ta hiru (bg) G>A
Ezker batekin
Eskuin batekin

Part A: 1x

I. (1x)
Erdizke A>G
Eskuin ta hiru (bg) G>A
Ezker batekin
Eskuin batekin (bixi)

II. (2x)
Ezker batekin
Eskuin batekin (bixi)

III. (2x)
Ezker batekin
Eskuin batekin (bixi)

IV. (2x)
Ezker batekin
Eskuin batekin (bixi)

Part B—2x

V. (2x)
Ezker batekin (bg)
Eskuin batekin 1) (bixi)

VI. (1x)
Erdie gibelat A>G ta urratsak
Hiru xalo (G)
Eskuinet ta urratsak
Hiru xalo (A)

VII. (1x)
Erdizke A>G
Eskuin ta hiru (bg) G>A
Ezker batekin
Eskuin batekin (bixi)

VIII. (2x)
Ezker batekin
Eskuin batekin 1) bixi

A: Aintzina alderat begira (looking forward)
G: Gibel alderat begire (looking backward)
A>G: Aintzinetik gibelerat (from front to back)
G>A: Gibeletik aintzinerat (from back to front)
bg: besoak goiti (arms up)

Zazpi Iauzi

was taught as zortzi Iauzi at workshop as a gesture to the Basque diaspora as the 8th Basque province. Traditionally done with 7 jumps, but here shown with eight.

ZAZPI-JAUTZI (Baztan version): order of steps

PART I.
Ezker batekin }
Eskuin batekin } twice

PART II.
Erdie luze (A>G): from facing front, half turn to outside (L) to face the rear (Step R foot, 1-2-3, and when planting 3 begin jumps)
Jauzi (Bat, bi, hiru …)
Gibelat pasa: Full 360 turn L to face the rear again, starting on L foot to step, 1-2 / step, 1-2 (breaks from usual pattern)
Eskuin batekin (bixi)