The Rugova war dance[1] (Albanian: Vallja me shpata e Rugovës or Loja Luftarake e Rugovës)[2] is a traditional Albanian sword dance named after the Rugova region[3] in Kosovo.
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Description
Rugova dance is considered a relic of the war dances (Albanian: valle luftarake), the remnants of pantomimic dances performed in the re-enactment or preparation of battles.[3]The dance is performed by two male dancers who fight a mock battle for the hand of a girl (a "maiden's dance"[4]).[5][6][7]
It was made internationally famous by the Kosovo Albanian Rugova clans (hailing from Kelmend in Albania).[8] The dance is also found in mountainous Montenegro, where a tribe of shepherds settled in the 18th century.[9][10] Based on the war dance of the Rugova clans, Slavko Kvasnevski created in 1971 the Rugova choreography, which was part of Yugoslav folk dancing ensemble.[3] In 1982, it was noted that "in the last time the Rugova dance has gained wide popularity".[11]