Montenegrin Oro

Oro, also known as Proleta or Montenegrin Oro (Template:Lang-sr), is a type of imitative folk dance originating in the Dinaric region of the Western Balkans.

According to the Geographical Journal:

In the third variety of dance, locally called the oro, or eagle dance, two men or a man and a woman inside a ring of singers jump into the air, waving their arms and uttering shrill cries, supposed to resemble the eagle's shriek.

Etymology

The name 'Oro' derives from the dialectal form of the Serbian word 'Orao', meaning 'Eagle', referring to how the dance is performed to resemble the movements of an eagle. In Herzegovina the dance is known as 'Proleta', which in Serbian means 'Flight', also referencing the style of dance. The symbolism of the eagle is likely to originate from the medieval Serbian Empire, who's crest was a double-headed eagle, and from Eastern Orthodox imagery, in which an eagle plays a central role.

Mating Dance

The dance is traditionally performed by a man and a woman as an act of courtship, the man aims to impress and woo the woman through a dominant display of a powerful eagle, while the woman attempts to emulate the dignity and grace of an eagle in flight.

Popularity

The Oro is typically danced at the weddings and celebrations of the Eastern Orthodox population in Montenegro and Herzegovina. It is also included into stylized folklore choreography and performed at competitions worldwide by groups in Montenegro and Serbia.

Video

• Oro sample — folk dance Oro by ensemble “Budo Tomovic” (Montenegro).