Ciganko is a modern chain folk dance choreographed to Bulgarian musician Daniel Spassov‘s Balkan brass band folklore song “Ciganko.” The dance was introduced by Bulgarian choreographer Belčo Stanev, who may or may not be the actual choreographer of Ciganko. You are not likely to see this dance anywhere outside of folk dance clubs, but its fun to dance, just don’t expect to find it in any Bulgarian villages. The music is yet another catchy earworm, so I am obliged to pass that on to you!
| Dance Name: | Ciganko |
| Original Script: | Циганко |
| Pronunciation: | TSEE-gan-ko |
| Translation: | [Romani] girl |
| Aliases: | Tsiganko |
| Country of Origin: | Bulgaria |
| Music Genre: | Balkan Brass, NW Bulgaria |
| Introduced By: | Belčo Stanev |
| Taught in USA by: | Michael Ginsburg (Mendocino 2006) |
| Year: | (2006) |
| Dance Type: | Non-Partner | Circle/Chain |
| Dance Category: | Modern RIFD |
| Native Presence: | Dance Groups |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Energy Intensity: | Moderate |
| Song: | “Ciganko” by Daniel Spassov |
| Recording: | Иде духовата музика/Here Comes the Brass Band Daniel Spassov © 2001 Orpheus Music (2:32) Qobuz • Amazon Versions distributed by instructors are a minute longer (from an earlier LP? it seems) |
| Time Signature: | 2/4 |
| Introduction: | Bop until singing |
| Dancer Formation: | Open Circle |
| Hand Hold: | V-pos |
| Leads to: | R w/ R |
| Styling: | light |
| Date Taught: | 10/21/2025 |
| Teacher: | David |
| Published: | October 10, 2025 |
| Updated: | October 10, 2025 |
Yet another Bulgarian folk song with the “G” word
Well, there are many Bulgarian folk songs using some form of Цигански (ciganski/tsiganski) = “gypsy.” That’s part of history. And…it’s part of modern times as well. Humanity… You’ll hear the term “ciganko” many times in the song, as all verse lines end with the vocative ciganko—”gypsy girl.” Perhaps she has a name you could use, if she is indeed so dear to you? Lyrics are below.
Do you need this dance? Probably not. I came across it when I bought the album for Daniel Spassov’s “Chichovata” for dancing Čičovoto (Chichovoto) horo. One thing led to another.
The steps in the first part of the dance are more on the Romanian side, but perhaps that reflects the Northern Folkloric region of the tune? The second part can mess you up quickly. You have to do some counting and feel the syncopation. You start with your left foot already down from the last step of Part 1 and hop on count 1, then step R on &, then reverse, then 4 steps, then you again hop on your already-planted L foot and do a step-cross-rock. It’s nothing hard, but I always want to step on the beat and hop on &, so if you don’t have that problem, you’ll do just fine. Find full dance steps in the resource links above.
“Ciganko” by Daniel Spassov
Daniel Spassov is a Bulgarian singer and performer of Bulgarian folklore songs and church music. His work includes more than 250 recordings of folk music for Bulgarian National Radio.
Dancing Examples
Teaching Examples
Daniel Spassov Here Comes the Brass Band Music Videos
A music video from the movie Here Comes the Brass Band. The entire made-for-TV movie is here, (can’t embed) but it’s more of a half-hour music video than a movie. There’s no dialog other than the songs, and I recognize some dances, such as Dunavsko horo.
Lyrics to Ciganko
Presented by Michael Ginsburg at Mendocino Folkdance Camp, 2006 (Folk Dance Musings)Transliterated Bulgarian:
Ochi mi za tebe plachat, ciganko
Dusha mi za tebe strada, ciganko
// Ciganko moia, ti lubov moia
Ciganko moia, ti myko moia //
Syrce mi za teb kopnee, ciganko
Snaga mi za teb treperi, ciganko
Zarad tebe syn ne znaia, ciganko
Den I nosht za teb ridaia, ciganko
Taborat dalech zamina, ciganko
Samo spomena ostana, cigankoEnglish:
My eyes cry for you, ciganko
My soul hurts for you, ciganko
// My ciganko, my love
My ciganko, my grief //
My heart longs for you, ciganko
My hips shake for you, ciganko
Because of you I don't know what the dream is, ciganko
I cry for you all day of night, ciganko
Taborat went far, ciganko
Only the memory remains, ciganko