Country: Nyland/Uusimaa, Finland
Type: quadrille set dance
Sheet music:
(1) Andersson, Otto & Greta Dahlström/ Nr. 1356 [I] 'Stora själen after Jonas Johansson, Strömfors' in:
Folkdans: A2. yngre dansmelodier.
(Skrifter utgivna av Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, 466; Finlands Svenska folkdiktning, VI)
Åbo: Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, 1975. p.419.
(2) Andersson, Otto & Greta Dahlström/ Nr. 1356 [II] 'Stora själen, after Berndt Brinkas, Pyttis' in:
Folkdans: A2. yngre dansmelodier.
(Skrifter utgivna av Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, 466; Finlands Svenska folkdiktning, VI)
Åbo: Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, 1975. p.419.
(3) Heikel, Yngvar/ 'Stora själen, Lappträsk, as played by Hans Jakob Hansson' in: Folkdans: B. dansbeskrivningar sammanställda av Yngvar Heikel.
(Skrifter utgivna av Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, 268; Finlands Svenska folkdiktning, VI) Faksimilutgåva 1982.
Helsingfors: Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, 1938. p.57.
(4) Brages Folkdanslag/ nrs 35-36 'Stora själen, Lappträsk & Pyttis' in: II: Dansmelodier till 45 folkdanser. Helsingfors: Brages Förlag, 1949. p.25.
(5) Finlands svenska folkdansring/ 'Stora själen, Lappträsk, after Jonas Johansson, Strömfors' Årsprogram 1999-2000. [Helsingfors]: Finlands Svenska Folkdansring rf, [1998]. p.40.
(6) Finlands svenska folkdansring/ 'Stora själen, Lappträsk, after Berndt Brinkas, Pyttis' Årsprogram 1999-2000. [Helsingfors]: Finlands Svenska Folkdansring rf, [1998]. p.41.
Recordings:
Finlands Svenska Folkdansring Årsprogram 1999-2000 track 11;
Finlands Svenska Folkdansring Årsprogram 2006-2007 track 21;
Finlands Svenska Folkdansring Årsprogram 2007-2008 track 21.
| Stora själen, Pyttis & Strömfors
Formation: 4 couples in quadrille (square) set. Head couples: couple 1 has backs to music, couple 3 faces couple 1. Side couples: couple 2 stands to R of couple 1, couple 4 standing to L of couple 1, facing couple 2, couples numbered CCW from music. Holding inside hands.
W3 M3
M4 W2
W4 M2
M1 W1
music
Steps:
polska steg 1 (buzz & reverse buzz step),
markering (stamp/stomp),
gångsteg (walk)
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| Bars | Part | Dance progression: |
| |:1-8:| | 1 (a) | Stora rongen (circle): On first step M turn over L shoulder so as to face out of cicrcle, and take L-in-L hold with partner, and R-in-R hold with corner. Finish a little toward centre of circle. All dance, beginning with L foot, with a stamp, dance CW (1-8), 16 walking steps. Ditto, beginning with a stamp, dance CCW (1-8), 16 walking steps. Do not swing arms back and forth. |
| 9-16, 1-2 | (b) | Själen (chain): All dance R-hand chain once around the set, without giving hands. M move CCW, W move CW, beginning to L of partner, [walking steps]. |
| 3-4 | When W1 and W3 have returned to their original place, they continue, without stopping, to opposite couple's place,
closely followed by M1 and M3 respectively, and passing each other on the R.
Meanwhile, M2, having turned to R, and closely followed by W2, curves CW moving to couple 1's original place while similarly couple 4 proceeds to couple 3's original place. |
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| 5-8 | Couples 1 and 4 pass through at couple 3's original place, W1 and W4 passing on R, W4 without turning and W1 in
a small arc to L while turning to R. Thereupon M1 and M4 pass on the L, M4 without turning and M1 finishing by turning to R.
Meanwhile, couples 2 and 3 pass through at couple 1's original place. |
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| 1-8 | Immediately, couples 2 and 4 form back basket ('tvinna'), M to R of his partner with L arm over neighbour's R arm and turn CCW
in the middle of the set, [16] buzz steps [aka polska].
Meanwhile, M1 and M3, closely followed by W1 and W3 respectively, proceed CW back to their original places, where they finish facing into the set, standing a few steps from respective partners and await the end of the polska. Couples 2 and 4 finish the polska so that couple 2 is in front of couple 1, and couple 4 is in front of couple 3. |
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| 9-12 | Couples 2 and 4 turn to face couples 1 and 3 respectively, W2 and W4 turning to R, while M2 and M4 turn to L (Note: all other turns in part (b)
are to the R).
Couples 1 and 2 pass through, W passing on the R and continue is a small arc to the L while turning to R. After which M1 and M2 pass each other on the L, and turn around to the R. Meanwhile couples 3 and 4 pass through in the same manner. |
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| 13-16 | Couples 1 and 2, and simultaneously couples 3 and 4, pass through again, after which they proceed to their original places.
Part (b) is the same in all sequences. |
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| |:1-8:| | 2 (a) | Flickornas rong (W back basket): All W form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 3 (a) | Pojkarnas rong (M 1-hand star): All M form R-hand star (taking R wrist of person behind), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), 16 walking steps. Ditto, in L-hand star, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), 16 walking steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 4 (a) | Flickornas rong (W back basket): All W form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 5 (a) | Pojkarnas rong (M 1-hand star): All M form R-hand star (taking R wrist of person behind), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), 16 walking steps. Ditto, in L-hand star, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), 16 walking steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 6 (a) | Flickornas rong (W back basket): All W form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 7 (a) | Pojkarnas rong (M closed circle): All M form closed circle, and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), 16 walking steps. Ditto, in L-hand star, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), 16 walking steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 8 (a) | (2-hand star): M1 and M2 take 2-hand hold. W1 and W2 pass their arms under the nearer joined M arms, and
grasp the futher joined M arms from above. Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), buzz steps.
Meanwhile, couples 3 and 4 do same. |
| |:1-8:| | 9 (a) | (2-hand star): M1 and M4 take 2-hand hold. W1 and W4 pass their arms under the nearer joined M arms, and
grasp the futher joined M arms from above. Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), buzz steps.
Meanwhile, couples 2 and 3 do same. |
| |:1-8:| | 10 (a) | (2-hand star): M1 and M2 take 2-hand hold. W1 and W2 pass their arms under the nearer joined M arms, and
grasp the futher joined M arms from above. Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), buzz steps.
Meanwhile, couples 3 and 4 do same. |
| |:1-8:| | 11 (a) | (2-hand star): M1 and M4 take 2-hand hold. W1 and W4 pass their arms under the nearer joined M arms, and
grasp the futher joined M arms from above. Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), buzz steps.
Meanwhile, couples 2 and 3 do same. |
| |:1-8:| | 12 (a) | (2 couple circles): Couples 1 and 2, and simultaneously couples 3 and 4, form closed circles. Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with walking steps. Ditto, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), walking steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 13 (a) | (2 couple circles): Couples 1 and 4, and simultaneously couples 2 and 3, form closed circles. Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with walking steps. Ditto, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), walking steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 14 (a) | Flickornas rong (W back basket): All W form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 15 (a) | Pojkarnas rong (M closed circle): All M form closed circle, and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), 16 walking steps. Ditto, in L-hand star, with stamp, circle CCW (1-8), 16 walking steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 16 (a) | Stora rongen (circle): All repeat (1 (a)). |
| |:1-8:| | 17 (a) | Stora rongen (circle): All repeat (1 (a)). |
| |:1-8:| | 18 (a) | Stora rongen (circle): All repeat (1 (a)).
Finish by thanking partner with a handshake. In Pyttis, one usually danced Storpolska, Pyttis after Stora själen. Provenance: Documented in 1921 by Yngvar Heikel in Pyttis, Vesterby, according to Berndt Brinkas. Still being danced [in 1949]. Source: Heikel, Yngvar/ nr 116 in: Folkdans: B. dansbeskrivningar sammanställda av Yngvar Heikel.
(Skrifter utgivna av Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, 268; Finlands Svenska folkdiktning, VI) Faksimilutgåva 1982.
Helsingfors: Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, 1938. pp. 56-60.
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| Stora själen, Lappträsk/Lapinjärvi
Formation: 4 couples in quadrille (square) set. Head couples: couple 1 has backs to music, couple 3 faces couple 1. Side couples: couple 2 stands to R of couple 1, couple 4 standing to L of couple 1, facing couple 2, couples numbered CW from music. Holding inside hands.
W3 M3
M2 W4
W2 M4
M1 W1
music
Steps:
polska steg 1 (buzz & reverse buzz step),
markering (stamp/stomp),
gångsteg (walk)
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||
| Bars | Part | Dance progression: |
| |:1-8:| | 1 (a) | Stora rongen (all circle): On first step M turn over L shoulder so as to face out of cicrcle, and take L-in-L hold with partner, and R-in-R hold with corner. Finish a little toward centre of circle. All dance, beginning with L foot, with a stamp, dance CW (1-8), 16 walking steps. Ditto, beginning with a stamp, dance CCW (1-8), 16 walking steps. Do not swing arms back and forth. |
| 9-16 | (b) | Själning (chain): All begin giving R hand to partner, then continue R-hand chain without giving hands, 3/4 around the set so that M1 finishes in couple 2's place, and W1 in couple 4's place, etc., 16 walking steps. |
| |:1-8:| | M stand in place, free hands hanging.
Meanwhile, W1 and W3 dance CW around M3 and M1 respectivly, cross over passing on the R, and dancing CCW around own partners; couples 1 and 3 then, holding inside hands, dance CW, walking steps. Also meanwhile W2 and W4 similarly dance CW around M4 and M2, immediately after W1 and W3 have crossed, cross over passing on the R, dance behind own partner and continue CCW through on-coming couples 1 and 3, with W2 passing through couple 1 and W4 passing through couple 3. As soon as the 4 women have crossed over M2 and M4 advance, stand with L sides together and with L hand on the other M's R shoulder. W2 and W4, having passed through couples 1 and 3, take elbow hook with partner so that couples 2 and 4 form a straight line. That line turns 3/4 round CCW, while couples 1 and 3, holding inside hands, dance 3/4 CW around the set - the line of couples 2 and 4 moving slowly, and couples 1 and 3 moving more quickly. Having completed the 3/4 turn, all couples drop hold and pass through the oncoming couple, couple 1 passing through couple 4 and couple 2 through couple 3, such that the 2 W pass to the R followed by the 2 M passing on the L. Then all turn around to L. |
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| 9-16 | Couples again pass through straight forward without turning, W passing on the inside on the R while M pass on the
outside of the oncoming couple, couples 2 and 4 moving somewhat faster, and form small circles with the oncoming couple, ie couple 2 with couple 1 and
couple 3 with couple 4.
In these small circles, all circle dance about 1-1/2 times round CW and return to original places. N.B.: apart from the M standing still after the chain while the W move, the whole figure should be danced with calm, even movements without stopping, and steps be adjusted so that encounters and pass throughs occur at the intended places in the quadrille formation. Part (b) is the same in all sequences. |
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| |:1-8:| | 2 (a) | Flickornas polska (W back basket): All W form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 3 (a) | Pojkarnas polska (M back basket): All M form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 4 (a) | Flickornas polska (W back basket): All W form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 5 (a) | Pojkarnas polska (M back basket): All M form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 6 (a) | Korgbottens-polska (2-couple front baskets): Couple 1 and with couple 2, and simultaneously couple 3 with couple 4 form front basket as follows: M1 and M2 hold own L wrist with own R hand, and with L hand hold opposite M's R wrist. W1 and W2 pass their arms under the nearer joined M arms, and grasp the farther joined M arms from above. Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 7 (a) | Korgbottens-polska (2-couple front baskets): Couple 1 and with couple 4, and simultaneously couple 2 with couple 3 form front basket as in (6 (a)). Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 8 (a) | Korgbottens-polska (2-couple front baskets): Couple 1 and with couple 2, and simultaneously couple 3 with couple 4 form front basket as in (6 (a)). Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 9 (a) | Korgbottens-polska (2-couple front baskets): Couple 1 and with couple 4, and simultaneously couple 2 with couple 3 form front basket as in (6 (a)). Beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 10 (a) | Flickornas polska (W back basket): All W form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 11 (a) | Pojkarnas polska (M back basket): All M form back basket (L over, R under), and beginning with a stamp, circle CW (1-8), with 16 buzz steps. Ditto, with stamp, CCW (1-8), 16 buzz steps. |
| |:1-8:| | 12 (a) | Stora rongen (all circle): repeat (1 (a)). |
| |:1-8:| | 13 (a) | Stora rongen (all circle): repeat (1 (a)). |
| 9-16,|:1-8:|,9-16 | (b) | Själning (chain, no hands): repeat (1 (a)). At the end of the chorus, when the two 2-couple circles
have circle a couple of times with step-hops [sic] they stop, and move joined hands down as they bow into the circles.
Note: the FSF source below includes only sequences 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and 13. All others are from Heikel. The FSF source notes as follows:
"traditionally the various sequences were repeated several times each. In this abridged version the repetitions have been removed.". It goes on to
enumerate the sequences listed above.
See videos from/with Lovisa folkdansare 1994, Turun Kansantanssin Ystävien ryhmässä 2012, Lovisa folkdansare 2013, Pernå folkdansare och Lovisa folkdansare 2015, Helsingin pitäjän tanhuujat ja spelarit 2018, Pellinge folkdansare 2018, Östra Nylands Folkdansdistrikt 2019. Provenance: Documented in 1911 by Thure Roos and Yngvar Heikel in Hindersby, Lappträsk. Has been danced at weddings and other festivities in Hindersby at least since the 1830s. Source: Finlands svenska folkdansring (FSF)/ 'Stora själen, Lappträsk' in: Årsprogram 2007-2008.
[Helsingfors]: Finlands Svenska Folkdansring rf, [2007]. pp. 28-29.
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Translation: Laine Ruus, Oakville, 2023-05-03.
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