The traditional dance “Kopachka” is a gathering folk dance from the region of Pijanec in the Eastern part of Republic of Macedonia. This dance can be seen in Istibanja, Kalimanci, Kamenica, Delchevo, Dramche and some other places. This, of course, leads to variants which derive their names from the place of origin (Istibanjska Kopachka, Kalimanska, Dramska and so on). Dramche’s variant of the danc
e is interesting because it is characterized with a very dynamic and energetic dance patterns and because it is widely used on weddings and gatherings throughout the region of Pijanec. Kopachka, as a traditional dance, has become a symbol of cultural identity not only for Dramche village, but to the whole Pijanec region and beyond. This particular version of Kopachka is a dance that can be performed only by the best dancers of the region. It is considered to be a real challenge to perform it. When the drummers come to the gathering place, they start to play specific rhythmic patterns which have a function to call and invite the gatherers. The dance is performed on weddings and gatherings and it happens when the dance leader stands out from the crowd, pays the musicians and starts the dance together with the last dancer. The middle dancer is also considered very important, so he is the next one who goes into the dance. The dancers hold each other’s belts with crossed arms.The final number of participants is not limited in the traditional performance, however, the folk group “Kopachka” limits the number to 8 (eight) men who have practiced this specific dance and can present it in a best possible manner. Dramche’s Kopachka dance is accompanied by the best drummers, who in the past were members of the Roma population, but today are of mixed either, Roma and Macedonian. They measure their power through the playing technique on the drums and sometimes through the virtuosity of playing some other instrument like fiddle or tambourine. Until the sixties of the 20th century, the female variant of the Kopachka also existed. There is a growing intention in the local community over the past few years to revive it. The male variant of the Kopachka gathering dance has 4 dancing stages:
1. Shetanica (walking), that has the function to form the dance and warm up the dancers,
2. Sitnoto, where the steps of the dancers are swift and short (and actually the skilful dancers slide their feet on the ground),
3. Prefrlachka, which is a dynamic dance figure where the left foot is swiftly switched over the right foot and the dancers speed up the dance to its climax, and
4. Kopachkata, which is the fastest and the most dynamic part of the dance and where the dancers are almost in a state of trans. The dance ends when the dancers jump to the right leg and stand firmly on it while the left foot is repeatedly hitting the ground with the intention to dig. Kopachka dance is best performed with two drums, but nowadays, in the process of reimagining, the number of drums can raise up to 4 or 5. Sometimes, apart from the drums, the dance can also be accompanied by a fiddle, and rear by a tambourine or bagpipes. In the past there were distinct variants for male and female dancers. Today, apart from the male version, there is also a mixed version which is usually performed on weddings and village gatherings. The traditional and the religious holidays (Gjurgjovden, Eremija, Pokrovita Bogorodica) are events that are important for knowledge transmission regarding the Kopachka dance. Those holidays are reasons for organizing gatherings and bazaars in the courtyards of the biggest churches in the region of Pijanec. Also, the constitution of the “Kopachka” folk group in 1948 is of great importance. The leader of the group, Dimitar Uzunski, gathers and keeps with great care all audio and video recordings and all written articles about their performances. Even though they do not have any commercial benefit, the folk group “Kopachka” has actively participated for 60 years to all local, regional and national festivals for traditional dance. They are a generator of the cultural life in Delchevo and its surroundings for decades, and a subtle and a very successful promoter of the “Kopachka” dance, rising the awareness for the intangible heritage and its protection.
