KUCANO
                               Macedonia

Source:     As learned by Thomas Deering from Pece Atanasovski at his
            Macedonian Folkdance Institute, Otesevo, Macedonia, July 1976.

Pronounced: KOO-tsah-no

Rhythm:     12/8  counted:  Slow,  Quick, Quick,  Slow,   Quick
                             1       2      3       4       5
                            1 & ah  2 &    3 &    4 & ah   5 &
            This rhythm is commonly known as "Berance rhythm."

Recordings: RTB LP 1394 (Pece Atanasovski Orchestra)
            Folklorist 45rpm #F-104-45 (Dennis Boxell)
            AMAN LP 103

Formation:  Originally a women's dance, danced now in mixed lines. 
            Hands are held up and slightly forward ("W" position)
            except during the travelling introduction and the faster step.

Steps:      Cukce: "CHOOK-Chay" Lift the heel of the supporting foot 
                   slightly before the beat, bringing it down on the beat.

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Meas Ct     INTRODUCTION (arms down)

            Begin the dance at the beginning of a musical phrase.

1    1      Facing and moving R (LOD), Step forward on R
     2      Cukce on R with L foot behing R calf
     3      Step forward onto L
     4      Step forward onto R
     5      Step forward onto L

2-(6)       REPEAT meas 1 as many times as desired

(7)  1      REPEAT meas 1 count 1 (Step R)
     2      REPEAT meas 1 count 2 (Cukce on R)
     3      REPEAT meas 1 count 3, turning slightly to center (Step L)
     4      Turning to face center and Raising hands to "W" position,
               Step on R slightly towards center*.
     5      Step onto L in place, taking full weight but leaving the 
               R foot in place in front

* This step into the center embodies much of the essence of the dance.
  It is initiated with a dip on the supporting leg by bending the 
  supporting knee then standing upright just as the extended foot
  makes contact with the ground.

            SLOWER STEP (arms up)

1    1      Facing Center, Lift R foot with Cukce on L in place
     2      Place R foot slightly to R without taking weight
     3      Take Weight on R, bending R knee
     4      Step onto L slightly towards center*.
     5      Step back onto R in place, taking full weight but 
               leaving the L foot in place in front

2           REPEAT meas 1 with opposite footwork

3    1      Lift R foot with Cukce on L in place (1)
            Turning slightly and moving R, Step to R onto R (1 & ah)
     2         Step on L beside R foot
     3      Step forward (LOD) on R, bringing L foot to close 
               behind R
     4      Step on L beside R.
     5      Step forward (LOD) onto R

4    1      Lift L leg beside R with Cukce on R in place (1)
            Step onto L beside R (1 & ah)
     2      Step forward (LOD) onto R
     3      Step forward (LOD) on L, turning slightly to center
     4      Turning to face center, Step on R slightly towards 
               center*.
     5      Step on L in place, taking full weight, leaving R foot
               in place in front

            FASTER STEP (arms down)

            When the music speeds up, the "in place" steps take on 
            the character of the of the "travelling" steps above.
            Hands are lowered at the beginning of measure 3 of 
            the previous step.

1    1      Facing Center, Lift R foot with Cukce on L in place (1)
            Step onto R in place (1 & ah)
     2      Step on L beside R foot
     3      Step on R in place
     4      Step onto L slightly towards center*.
     5      Step back onto R in place, taking full weight but 
               leaving the L foot in place in front

2           REPEAT meas 1 with opposite footwork

3-4         REPEAT measures 1 & 2

5-6         REPEAT measures 3-4 of the slower step

            Dancers can return to the slower step as the music allows.
            The leader signals this by bringing her arms up to the "W"
            position on count 4 of the fourth measure--just before the
            "travelling" steps begin.

Dance Description by Tom Deering