KOCE BERBEROT Macedonian Dance

[@MacedonianAlmonds]

As a Macedonian I am delighted...it is wonderful to see foreigners to sing and dance our songs and dances. In another comment Igor Gjurovski has made a good historical point of the song. I would try to add lyrics and translation and explanation on some specific words and some other points on this song and this wonderful performance. First of all I would like to know who are you guys? Where are you from? Your performance is awesome.. The lyrics and translation Koce berberot chalgajiyata / Koce the barber and chalgajiyata* Koce berberot merakliyata / Koce the barber and merakliyata* Koce Koce ne jadi rasolno meso / Koce do not eat rasolno* meat Koce Koce ne jadi grav so pastrma / Koce do not eat beans with pastrma* Koce Koce mi jadi guska pechena / Koce Koce only eat grilled goose Guska pechena razhen vrtena / Griled goose spinned/rotated on razhen* Guska pechena razhen vrtena / Goose, goose grilled, rotated on razhen Suvo grozje celata guska polneta / the whole goose filled with raisin (dried grape) * Koce berberot chalgajiyata / Koce the barber and chalgajiyata Koce berberot merakliyata / Koce the barber and merakliyata Koce Koce ne pie meka rakiya / Koce do not drink soft wisky/brandy (with low % of alcohol) Koce Koce ne pie vino kiselo / Koce do not drink sour wine (bad quality wine) Koce berberot chalgayata / Koce the barber and musician Koce berberot merakliyata / Koce the barber and merakliyata Koce Koce mi pie luta rakiya / Koce Koce only drinks strong brandy (high % of alch.) Koce Koce mi pie vino lezhano / in addition Koce Koce only drinks old wine (good quality wine) (znae Koce shto pie, znae Koce shto jade -alongside comments of the singer) (Koce knows what is good to drink, Koce knows what is good to eat) Ako sakate da vi zasviri / If you want to make Koce to play to you (play on music instrument) Dajte mu na Koceta shto ke posaka / Give to Koce whatever he wants Koce ke vi zasviri i ke zapee / Koce will not only play (an instrument) but also he will sing to you Staro mlado na oro ke razveseli / And everybody, old and youths, he will make them happy and joy chalgajiya* - a special music genre, where music is played on a traditional instruments and sings on a traditional way without mics, amplifiers etc. merakliyata*- a type of man who fully enjoy the life, with music, good drinks, good food, always accompanied by fellas etc. (merakliya is term that is supposed to use it only for men, when this term is used for a women...its got another meaning in sexual connotation..something like easy woman) rasol meat* - in times with no fridge-freezer-refrigirators, people tried to extended the period of storage meat by putting it in a storage containers on cold place, with lot of salt. That kind of meat is called Rasol meat. However the extended period means several months after slaughtering the beef or pig during the autumn-winter-spring period. pastrma* the best part of sheep meat razhen* a device for grilling meat over a campfire with rotating function. meat filled with dried grape* or some other dried sweet fruits, makes an caloric and reach food even reacher. And final remark...this song is composed and originally sang by Jonce Hristovski a famous Macedonian singer. This is a kind of humoristic song. It is composed in 50s or 60s of 20th century when people has straggled to feed themselves and their families BUT Koce has allowed and afford himself to choose the food and he refused to eat rasol meat* and even beans with pastrma* which were considered as a very good meals at that time and many many families cannot afford themselves, but Koce the barber refuse it and choose to eat only grilled goose. You can see how Jonche Hristovski originaly live performing the song in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qoevZGt6ed1oa8U Like many other Macedonian songs..for instance "Srce me boli za Trpana" (my soul is in pain for girl called Trpana) or "Serbez Donka" (Maveric girl called Donka), this song for Koce is composed and dedicated to a real life person. Koce has lived in Skopje, Macedonia in the neighborhood called "Madjir maalo". The man has passed away in 1988. Koce...completely contrary of what song has saying about him, was very very modes, very patient, sober and soft soul person. Macedonian national television has made a short reportage and interview about/with him in 1983..you can see how Koce looked like at 20:28 minute of this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIeVd4Jmm6ajitk As he is saying in the video, he really has offered and does haircut barbers work for his neighbors and friends. But when he talks about the song and sensitively choosing the food, he is saying that it is not true, that it is just a joke and that in the time he would eat much worse food when there is nothing to eat. Sorry for such a long comment. Sorry also for my not so good knowledge of English language..maybe someone with higher level of English would explained it in a better way but that's it. Greetings from Skopje, Macedonia !!

[@iraweisburd]

Thank you for your comment and insight into the song. We are folk dancers from South Florida. I am the instructor and have made several trips to Macedonia and studied with my close friend, the great Atanas Kolarovski of Tanec fame.

[@IgorGjurovski]

Macedonian song from the early second half of the 20 century (50 years old). The song is about Koce the Barber. In the last 5-6 centuries, barbers was prominent members of the bazaars or markets in South East Europe affected by the oriental culture. Besides their work as barbers, they was also a doctors/dentists (if there is none in the town), they were playing music instruments and they were also a singers. Usually barber shops was also a place where politics was commented by the town folks... The name for the oriental bazaar or market is Carshija (Carsi is Turkish word for market) - a place for trade, manufacturing and public affairs. Song theme: Koce is barber who is well known for his knowledge about good cousin, wines and spirits. In the song the author is making remarks about what Koce do not like to eat and drink and what is his favored food and spirits. In the last part of the song he gives advice to the listeners to give to Koce good wine and food and they will be rewarded with good playing and singing by Koce...

[@iraweisburd]

Thank you Igor Gjurovski for the historical background on this song.

[@orovodec8220]

I am very sorry, but this dance has nothing to do with Macedonian dance. Not because it's an entirely made-up, newly choreographed dance! In general I do not have anything against newly made dances on newly composed music and songs. But steps, style and form of this dance do not correspond in any way with what I, as a specialist in Macedonian dance, for mare as 55 years have observed and experienced of the traditional dances from all regions during my almost annual visits to Macedonia. When someone, especially if you are a foreigner, wants to create new dances to music of a certain country, it would be nice to take into account the traditional properties, dance style and characteristics. This is not the case with this dance, here are only some steps and figures glued together. If I was told it was an Israelian dance I would believe it too. Therefore it should never be presented as a dance from Macedonia. Recreational dance would be a good name for what is presented here. that's what it is, nothing else! A lot of thanks to Igor Gjurovski and Makedonski Bademi for their background on the song of Jonce Hristovski.

[@iraweisburd]

I agree with you with regards to the dance steps, style and form of this dance. It is a dance that was choreographed by a Dutch teacher for seniors to introduce them to Macedonian folk music.

[@elenasalisbury8282]

I am doing this with my parents s/ young kids . My focus is on music .

[@megcrellin3750]

Music reminds me of Kasapsko Oro