An unique dance

Căpâlna (German: Kapellendorf, Kapolna; Magyar: Sebeskápolna, Alsókápolna, Kápolna) is a village in Săsciori commune, Alba County, Transylvania, Romania. The village has an absolute Romanian majority.

In 1948, Stana Biriş, a teacher from Galaţi (Eastern Romania), established here due to marriage with a local. She 'discovered' in Căpâlna a remarkable dance and, charmed by its uniqueness, amazed by the beauty and purity of interpretation, she organized the ensemble and became its leader.

"Purtata fetelor" is a Romanian traditional girls' processional walking dance from Căpâlna. The dance dates from the Middle Ages, or maybe earlier. It is performed on Sundays and holidays, only by girls and unmarried women; when a woman became engaged, she has to leave the ensemble. Young girls learn the dance and the song from their mothers when they are 4-5 years old, and are invited to join the ensemble at 7 yo. The participants are grouped by age: 7-11, 12-18 and over 19. Over time, the number of participants varied from 20 to 80; today, the ensemble has 50 dancers.

The girls wear traditional folkloric costumes and perform the dance in a row, each with one hand on the shoulder of hers predecessor, and singing. The steps are in the rhythm of the heartbeat, and the row describes circles, spirals, waves and the infinite sign. Its uniqueness derives from the fact that is the only contretemps dance: the performers stop unexpectedly, and starts unexpectedly forward or backward. Also, the song is not synchronized with the steps of the dance, with a stunning effect on the viewer. The researchers resembled the row of dancers with a snake, associated with the deities of the earth, with the fertility, healing, rowing, and with seduction. The stances are a hymn for the loved one; although it seems simple, the dance dance express sensuality, display of female beauty, and greatness.