SKOBO

Source

:

Developed from "European Folk Dance" by Joan Lawson, revised 1955. The Swedish have lost all their male dances except for the comic dances, such as Oxdansen and Skobo, which originated among the undergraduates of men's colleges during the 19th century and which often degenerate into horse-play. But the men of Dinkelsbuhl in Germany perform Guild dances of a Morris-like character brought over by the Swedes in 1632,

Music

:

It has its own tune in 3/4.

Set

:

For two or four men, with very slow movements.

A1

Bars 1-8

Four men in a circle, facing in, touching their neighbour's hands palm to palm, walk 3 steps slowly to the right for one bar, appearing to be pushing, commencing with the left foot, that is, the first step is crossed. Ston. with an "Appel" or form of stamp with the whole body going down into the movement of the stamping foot, which is placed in front of the supporting leg, on the first beat of bar 2. Look around as if doubtful of continuing, or as if someone has made wind! Repeat four times in all.

A2

Bars 1-8

Repeat the whole movement, but circling to the left, and making the Appel very determined!

B1

Bar 1

Let go of hands and make a complete small circle to the right on one's own, with three steps, starting with the left foot.

 

Bar 2

Two opposite dancers quickly kneel on the right while their neighbours stamp their right foot heavily on the ground and swing their left foot over the kneeling men's heads.

 

Bar 3-4

Repeat with the others kneeling and the first dancers swinging their right leg over the heads.

 

Bar 5-6

All walk round to their right in a small circle and then bend forward 30 that their foreheads, or the tops of their heads, touch in the centre.

 

Bar 7-8

All take three steps to make a half turn to their right, bending backwards to keep their heads in contact. Straighten up.

B2

Bar 1-7

Repeat B1 bar 1-7.

 

Bar 8

Straighten up violently so that backsides hit and they vigorously push each other apart. The one who gets it in first spreads the others about!

Repeat ad lib.

© 1990 R L Dommett