Bir Mumdur (Turkey)

Bir Mumdur

Turkey

These notes ©2018, Andrew Carnie. Originally taught by Bora Özkök, he learned the steps from his mother, who learned them from her father. Bora adapted those steps to this tune. The title translates as "One Candle".

Music:

• Bora Özkök, Halay 302
• Bora Özkök and the Sultans. Turkiyem '82
• https://youtu.be/H3dsxnWscEY
• Ibrahim Tatlises 1982 Yasamak bu digil: https://youtu.be/3F2WJL3GLUQ
• https://youtu.be/5UKhAAe5IyU

Meter: 2/4
Formation: Short lines, Fingers interdigitated, forearms parallel to floor. Stand very close to one another with L shoulder in front of neighbor's R shoulder
Introduction:  Start with the Zurna (in Bora's recording)

Note: The following description is based on the video of Bora teaching the dance in Tucson in the late 1980s. It does not exactly match the type-written dance notes of the time

Part 1

Bar 1: Facing center stomp on R to R (1), Cross L in front of R (2), Steps are bouncy.
Bar 2-4: Repeat bar 1, three more times
Bar 5: Step on R next to L (1), Lift L knee up, bending body backwards, while doing a little chug on the R foot. Say "ugh!" (2)
Bar 6: Step on L forward into the center (1), drag/chug onto R forward, while lifting L knee, body leans backwards (2)
Bar 7: Repeat bar 6
Bar 8: Stomp on L foot (1), raise R up in a backwards bicycle (2)
Bar 9: Stomp on R, lifting L  (1), Step backwards on L, Kicking R forward low (2)
Bar 10:  Step on R near L instep (1), Step backwards on L, Kicking R forward low (2)
Bar 11: Step back on R near L instep (1), Lift L up (2)
Bar 12: Stamp L slightly forward (1), Step on L in place (2)
Bars 13-24: Repeat Bars 1-12

Part 2

Bars 1-4: Repeat bars 1-4 of part 1
Bars 5-8: Repeat bars 1-4 of part 1

Sequence:

Part 1 (i.e., 2 sequences of 12 bars)
Part 2
Part 1 X 2 (i.e., 4 sequences of 12 bars)
Part 2
Part 1 X 2 (i.e., 4 sequences of 12 bars)

Tucson Video

Bora teaching the dance at a workshop in Tucson in the late 1980s

Other notes on the web

• http://www.socalfolkdance.com/dances/B/Bir_Mumdur.pdf
• http://www.socalfolkdance.com/dances/B/Bir_Mumdur_A_Turkish.pdf
• http://www.socalfolkdance.com/dances/B/Bir_Mumdur_B_Turkish.pdf

Lyrics

From Bora's notes:

Çay içinde Bükmetas

Gönlüm honi gozum yas

Aklimi aldin baştan

Orta boylu kalem kas

Bir mumdur, iki mumdur, üc mumdur

Dört mumdur, on dört mumdur

Bana bir bade doldur

Bu ne guzel bir gündür

Halimem, Halimem, Halimem

Su küşe uzun küşe

Küşeye serdim kece

Hak yoluna uç kurban

Yar gele burdan geçe

Round rocks in the stream

My heart is big, tears in my eyes

You have taken my mind away from me

Medium height girl with made-up eyes

One candle, two candles, three candles

Four candles, fourteen candles.

Let's fill up the glasses again

Such a beautiful day today

My Halime, My Halime, My Halime

This corner has a good view

So I put my felt on the floor

For the sake of God I promise

Three sacrifices that she passes by

Other Sources

• Özkök, Bora (1987) Maine Folk Dance Camp syllabus (PDF)