Two Springar Dance Traditions from Western Norway

Abstract

The springar dances are the oldest surviving couple dances in the fjord country of western Norway. Although currently performed by only a small segment (probably less than 1%) of the population in mostly rural areas, these dances have an intriguing history and an interesting position within modern Norwegian society. After an introduction to the springar genre, two contrasting springar traditions from the western districts of Hordaland and Sunnfjord are discussed, with some emphasis on the hardingfele (fiddle with sympathetic strings) music that accompanies these dances (see Remnant 1980: 158). The name springar (and the alternate names of springe dans, springe dantz,1 and springleik2) are derived from the Norwegian verb, springe (to spring or run lightly). Both meanings are appropriate to the quick and light manner in which the footwork of the springar dances is executed. The earliest known reference to a springar in Norway dates from 1646-predating the first mention of the waltz in that country (Matthus 1799) by some 150 years-in a dialect dictionary compiled in Askvoll, Sunnfjord by the parish priest Christen Jensson (1646). Jensson stated that the frampao (on-forward) was the local term for a springe dantz. Another dialect dictionary, compiled by B.C. de Fine in the western district of