Hrasničanka is a traditional Bosnian women’s or girls’ dance from Hrasnica, an urban neighborhood in the municipality of Ilidža, SW of Sarajevo. It is typically danced at weddings and parties.
| Dance Name: | Hrasničanka |
| Pronunciation: | RHAS-nee-chan-kah |
| Translation: | Dance from Hrasnica |
| Country of Origin: | Bosnia (Bosnia and Herzegovina) |
| Region: | Sarajevo Canton, SW of Sarajevo |
| Choreographer: | Traditional |
| Taught in USA by: | Efie Derksen (Netherlands); Sue Rose (Boston, USA) |
| Dance Type: | Non-Partner | Circle/Chain |
| Dance Category: | Village Traditional |
| Folk Status: | Living/Historic |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
| Energy Intensity: | Gentle |
| Tune: | ? Hrasničanka |
| Time Signature: | 2/4 |
| Dancer Formation: | Closed Circle, Open Circle, or Long Line |
| Hand Hold: | U-pos: up and forward |
| Leads to: | R w/R to side, face center |
| Date Taught: | 5/6/2025 |
| Teacher: | David |
| Published: | April 22, 2025 |
| Updated: | April 27, 2025 |
I couldn’t find any more information that what is given in the comments of the demonstration video. Folkdance Jerry of Denver-Boulder folkdance fame taught the dance in Boulder in March 2025. He learned the dance during an online workshop with Sue Rose of Boston, USA. Rose says that the dance was introduced in USA by Efie Derksen from the Netherlands. A final note Jerry offers is:
There is one small differences between the video and how I learned it. In Part 2 (In & Out), the step-touches are replaced with a step-lifts (small, near the ankle), just like they do in Part 3 (around the circle).
I’m not certain if the name of the music tune is actually “Hrasničanka” or goes by a different common name. However, I did find a music score by the name “Hrasničanka – Narodna Hrasničanka.”
| Figure | Bar | Rhythm | Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
| I. Side R&L | Face center, move R & L | ||
| 1 | SS | R to R ● close L to R | |
| 2 | repeat bar 1 | ||
| 3-4 | repeat bars 1-2 w/ opp dir & ftwk | ||
| 5-8 | repeat bars 1-4 | ||
| II. In & Out | Face center, move in and out, small steps | ||
| 1 | SS | R fwd ● touch L toe next to R | |
| -or- | R fwd ● lift L and hold instep to R ankle | ||
| 2 | repeat bar 1 w/ opp ftwk | ||
| 3-4 | repeat bars 1-2 | ||
| 5-8 | reverse direction bars 1-4 (starting w/ R back). Start of bar 8, turn to face LOD | ||
| III. Circle | Traveling LOD in the circle | ||
| 1 | SS | R ● L | |
| 2 | SS | R ● lift L and hold instep to R ankle | |
| 3-4 | repeat bars 1-2 w/ opp ftwk | ||
| 5-16 | repeat bars 1-4 three times (4 total) |
Dancing Examples
[A grainy, short video posted on Facebook.]
Teaching Examples
Music Examples
I can’t find a digital stream…
Music score: Hrasničanka – Narodna Hrasničanka