Rugova (sword dance)

The Rugova war dance (Vallja me shpata e Rugovës or Loja Luftarake e Rugovës) is a traditional Albanian sword dance named after the Rugova region in Kosovo.

Description
Rugova dance is considered a relic of the war dances (valle luftarake), the remnants of pantomimic dances performed in the re-enactment or preparation of battles. The dance is performed by two male dancers who fight a mock battle for the hand of a girl (a "maiden's dance" ).

It was made internationally famous by the Kosovo Albanian Rugova clans (hailing from Kelmend in Albania). The dance is also found in mountainous Montenegro, where a tribe of shepherds settled in the 18th century. Based on the war dance of the Rugova clans, Slavko Kvasnevski created in 1971 the Rugova choreography, which was part of Yugoslav folk dancing ensemble. In 1982, it was noted that "in the last time the Rugova dance has gained wide popularity".