Nemoj Kate is a modern circle folk dance choreographed in Croatian dance stye by Josien Teuling of the Netherlands. The steps represent a simplified version of the Croatian Taraban dance. With a peppy and earworm-inducing love song, “Nemoj, Kate” is popular in both International Folk Dance and Sacred Circle Dance communities. The styling seen in video examples ranges from traditional Croatian to free-form, and much variation in both steps and hand movements is shown. With the exception of starting the dance with movement to right instead of the tradition left direction of Croatian dances, this could pass for a “traditional” Croatian dance, if the style is respected. Other tunes could be used, but “Nemoj, Kate” is just too fun! It’s a love song from the man’s point of view, telling Kate to ignore her mother and family who speak against him, because he is the right man for her (lyrics are below).
| Dance Name: | Nemoj Kate |
| Pronunciation: | NEH-moy KA-tuh |
| Translation: | Don’t, Kate |
| Aliases: | Nemoj, Kate… |
| Related To/See Also: | Taraban |
| Country (Style of): | Croatia |
| Region: | Netherlands |
| Choreographer: | Josien Teuling |
| Taught in USA by: | Tineke van Geel |
| Year: | |
| Dance Type: | Non-Partner | Circle/Chain |
| Dance Category: | Modern RIFD |
| Folk Status: | Arranged Folklore |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Energy Intensity: | Moderate |
| Song: | Nemoj, Kate… many others possible |
| Artist: | Klapa Ragusa |
| Album: | Zlatna Kolekcija (compilation) or Klapa “Ragusa,” Dubrovnik |
| Time Signature: | 4/4 or 2/2 |
| Pattern: | 8 bars total |
| Introduction: | 16 bars to singing |
| Dancer Formation: | Closed Circle |
| Hand Hold: | Font Basket or V-pos; Back Basket |
| Leads to: | L w/ R |
| Styling: | light; small steps |
| Date Taught: | 9/2/2025 |
| Teacher: | Dee |
| Published: | September 8, 2025 |
| Updated: | September 8, 2025 |
The music makes you want to klapa: Klapa “Ragusa” sings “Nemoj, Kate” with six voices!
Klapa is a form of traditional Croatian folk music originating in the historic costal region of Croatia known as Dalmatia. Located on the eastern shore of the Adriatic sea, Dalmatia encompasses the historic and culturally-rich city of Dubrovnik, which was once known as Ragusa. Klapa is distinguished by church-like singing of melody and harmony vocals by all members of the group rather than featuring a lead singer. Originally, the singing was a cappella (without instrumental accompaniment) and restricted to men only, but modern klapa incarnations, such as Klapa “Ragusa” include guitar, mandolin, bass, and one female vocalist (to balance the five men), but the instruments are used for rhythm and filler rather than instrumental melody.
Klapa “Ragusa” was founded in July 1977. During the nearly fifty years of its successful work, Klapa “Ragusa” has formed its own style of musical production, as a peculiar ensemble of klapa singing. They bring a modern musical interpretation to traditional elements of Dalmatia, giving a tribute to the city of Dubrovnik’s original name, Ragusa.
Nemoj Kate Dance Notes and Variations
- Hand Hold:
- Front Basket, V-position, Back Basket, W-pos, Whatever-pos. Front or back basket are the Croatian traditional choices. If you want some upper-body exercise, then choose W-V-pos like Juancarlos in Italy and you can crank your arms in V-pos during side-to-side and hold them in W-pos the rest of the dance.
- Part 1 – Side to Side Travel:
- Traditional style would have you touch your foot next to & slightly forward from the other rather than kick across high and hard like a Jewish “Hava Nagila” Hora. However, the choreographer calls to “sway” one leg across the other, but this has morphed into a forceful kick in some examples.
- Part 3 – Rida/Buzz Step:
- None of the Nemoj Kate examples show it, but a double-time speed is more fun! Billy Burke does this below in the Taraban demo from Laguna 1992.
Dancing Examples
Teaching Examples
Croatian Taraban Dance Examples
These two Taraban examples from Italians are already “simplified” and look like Nemoj Kate except the step-togethers start the normal Croatian direction: to the left. The Billy Burke video from a workshop in California, USA includes a typical Croatian Drmeš shaking step. Perhaps the “simplification” is to leave out the Drmeš? I’m not sure if going right instead of left counts as a simplification.
Music Examples of “Nemoj, Kate”
Lyrics to “Nemoj, Kate” (Klapa Ragusa version)
The lyrics to Nemoj, Kate are sung in the Chakavian dialect of Croatian, written by Đelo Jusić & Nedo Zuban.
LyricsTranslate.com lyrics, translation by Hristi (native Serbian); Central Scotland Circle Dance notes; and meNemoj, nemoj, nemoj, Kate,
Nemoj slušat svoju mater!
Protiv mene ti brontula.
Nemoj, nemoj, jesi čula?
Nemoj, nemoj, oko moje,
Nemoj slušat svoje doma.
Ja sam pravi čovjek za te:
Vjeruj meni, pušti mater.
Pušti mater, pušti ćaću.
Dođi, Kate, čekat ja ću.
// Čekat ću te, ti ćeš doći:
Ljubit ću te cijele noći. //
Ljubit ću te, grlit ću te,
opet majci vratit ću te.
// Nek' ti vidi mater stara
'Ko te ljubi, a 'ko vara! //Don’t, don’t, don’t, Kate
Don’t listen to your mother!
She's putting you against me.
Don’t, don’t, did you hear me?
Don’t, don’t, apple of my eye,
Don’t listen to what they tell you at home.
I am the right man for you:
Believe me, don't listen to you mother.
Don't listen to your mother and father.
Come Kate, I will wait.
I will wait until you come:
And will kiss you all night.
I will kiss you and caress you,
And then I will bring you back to your mother.
Then your old mother can see tomorrow
Who loves you and who cheats on you!