Hungary

Region : different

Spirituality : Circular Ritual

Ethnic group : Bakalanga

Csárdás is a Hungarian dance performed by couples consisting of a man and a woman, or, in some regions, by two women. Several couples dance at the same time, forming one large circle or multiple smaller circles. Each region has its own themes, gestures, and figures, which are improvised according to well-known and established rules and patterns.

Csárdás is one of the most beloved dances among both villagers and city dwellers. It is performed at weddings, community events, folk dance gatherings, and on stage. It is often accompanied by a string orchestra made up of violins, violas, and double basses.

Practitioners include both amateur and professional dancers, who have learned the dance through formal education or folk traditions. Csárdás expresses the power of self-organization and community cohesion. The dancers also sing and must pay attention to their partner as well as the surrounding couples. Partners learn to think together by co-creating the dance. The knowledge gained through this process can be applied to everyday life, as it enhances people’s ability to adapt to others and strengthens their role within the community.

Csárdás also serves a social function of integration, creating a sense of collective identity within communities.