Legenyes [Kalotaszeg, Transylvania] dance history & background

Legenyes is a "lad's dance" from the Kalotaszeg in Transylvania, Romania, although older men may also dance it. You don't sing to it, but you *do* shout verses (called csujugotasok) to it. Before, or sometimes after, the couple's dance, the lads get up and, one by one, show off their rhythmic capabilities in front of the band, while women hook arms and stand in short lines and shout verses of encouragement or teasing insult or downright bawdiness! Sometimes the women turn in a very fast rida, first right for a while, then left, then right again, (3 turns total, always!) then stop and open up the circle to face whatever guy is doing his little show. They also do the shouts while turning. Each region has its own style, with its own dance figures, and calls.