Woaf/en
Weifentanz
The word „Woaf“ comes from a tool called “Weife” (or Haspel), which was used for winding up thread in the local textile industry. The dance is originated in the former German speaking parts of Czechoslovakia, whose Sudenten-Germans and South-Moravians brought the dance to Austria and Germany in 1945 after they were forced to leave their home countries.
Form
Unlimited number of pairs standing behind each other in a circle, girls in front of the men, looking in dance direction.
Man takes girl’s hands which she raises above her shoulders (like Rheinlaender).
Dance
Bar 1: Both step forward to the left, doing one step on the 1st beat and a tipclose on the 2nd, 3rd beat no step, but both turn slightly left, girl a bit more than him, whereas he stands for a moment diagonal on her right.
Bar 2: Same to the right.
Bar 3-4: Same as 1-2.
Bar 5-8: Man raises hands of girl over his head and turns her to the right, leading her behind him to his left side and then turns her one whole right turn in front of him, so that she stands again in start position. During this part he steps forward with small steps and tipclose.
Tipclose is necessary because the foot has to be unweighted to be able to do the next step.
Note
The dance should be performed in a tranquil but steady way, somehow swinging to the left and right in the first part. After that a very short stop should lead to the second part when the girl dances around her partner with small triple-steps.
Source
- R. Zoder, Österr.Volkstänze, 1978, 2.Teil, Nr.12
- Translated by Sissy Banner, Amstetten, NÖ., Austria
Music
Video
Tanzkurs der Union Wien
Sudetendeutscher Volkstanzkreis in Wien
Kreiswoaf
