Bela Rada is an historic chain folk dance from Serbia of the Čačak family of dances danced to the folk song Bela Rada. It was introduced to international folk dancers in North America by Dick Crum at the University of the Pacific Folk Dance Camp in the summer of 1955. The dance is often done as the second in a set with Makazice, which Crum also introduced at the same camp. Sometimes Bela Rada is confused with and mislabeled “Makazice.” Although the dance in only five bars, the steps are challenging with both feet active at the same time. Because the dance is only five bars long and the music is phrased in eight bars, there’s a further challenging in not thinking you have gotten off the music phrasing, because you always will!
The Dunav folk dancers in Israel dance different variation starting with a grapevine while all North American Youtube videos and most notes are the Crum version. In a native situation, the leader would call variations.
| Dance Name: | Bela Rada |
| Original Script: | Бела Рада |
| Pronunciation: | BEH-lah RAH-dah |
| Translation: | Fair (Pretty) Rada |
| Aliases: | Rado, Makazice |
| See Also: | Makazice |
| Country of Origin: | Serbia |
| Region: | City of Korman, Šumadija District (central) |
| Taught in USA by: | Dick Crum, Ricky Holden, Dennis Boxell |
| Year: | 1955 |
| Dance Type: | Non-Partner | Circle/Chain |
| Dance Category: | Oldies IFD |
| Native Presence: | Historic |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
| Energy Intensity: | Lively |
| Song: | Bela Rada |
| Time Signature: | 2/4 |
| Pattern: | Dance phrasing is 5 bars, music is 8 |
| Dancer Formation: | Open Circle |
| Hand Hold: | V-pos |
| Leads to: | R w/ R |
| Styling: | dance on balls of feet, tiny steps, feet hugging each other |
| Date Taught: | |
| Teacher: | |
| Published: | January 1, 2024 |
| Updated: | January 3, 2026 |
Dance on the balls of the feet with the heels, which seldom touch down, just off the floor. The knees are flexed, or “soft.” Take tiny steps with the feet close together (or as Mr. Crum would say, “hugging each other.”)
Dick Oakes on styling
Dance Sequence (Crum Version)
| Bar:Counts | Reps | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| 1: 1, &, 2, & | 4 | sideways steps |
| 2: (1 &) (2 &) 3: (1 &) | 3 | step-hops |
| 3: 2, & | 2 | scissor-kicks |
| 4: (1 &) (2 &) | 2 | step-hops |
| 5: 1, & | 2 | scissor-kicks |
| 5: (2&) | 1 | together (+ pause) |
Insights on Lyrics Translation
There are a few different translations for Бела (bela) given on sites and in dance notes. The simplest translation is white, which has been rendered as, in addition to “white,” “fair” and “pretty.” Suffice to say that “bela” as a modifier for a given name is a term of endearment, and it doesn’t reflect a woman’s complexion. Бела Рада is also translates to and is used commonly for white daisy, or just daisy, so the entire name is possibly a term of endearment.
The last verse gave me translation problems until I applied the above theory, possibly. If you take the translation literally, you come up with “Rada ordered the Yellow Quinces for me.” Unfortunately, I don’t have the original lyrics in Cyrillic to translate, so that doesn’t help. It is confusing that Rada would be digging yellow quinces when quinces grow on trees, like apples. However, when you find out that “Dunje” is a common given name and not always a fruit, it is possible that her Nana’s term of endearment name is Žute Dunje Yellow Quince. It is also possible the translation is not digging but rather picking, or that the song lyricist doesn’t know how yellow quinces are harvested!
I did find a rather sordid version of the lyrics that somewhat resembles the story.
Dancing Examples: Crum version of Bela Rada
Dancing Examples: Makazice and Bela Rada (Crum)
Dancing Examples: Dunav version of Bela Rada
Music Examples
Lyrics
Dunav Folk Dancers, bad translation by Google & fix-up by me// Ide Jova od oranje Bela Rada od kopanje. // Ref: // Stani Rado, bela Rado, Daj da ljubim lice mlado. // // Ne smem Jovo, oj Jovane, Ljutiće se moje nane. // // Rada mi je poručila, Žute Dunje naredila. //// Jova goes by from plowing Pretty Rada is digging. // Ref: // Stop Rada, pretty Rada, Let me kiss your young face. // // I must not Jovo, O Jovan, My nana will be angry. // // She told me, Rada, Žute Dunje ordered. //