Ingurutxoa are traditional social circle dances, that in a sense are a formal courtship ritual from an earlier era, as men and women dance together.  This version is from the town of Leitza in Nafarroa.

This dance was introduced and instructed by Joxema Mendiola, as part of NABO's Winter 2009 dance workshop

Coming soon: video clips

Audio clip: .wma files (can be played on Windows media player available free online).  You can also download directly from the links below as well.

1. Soka (mutilak)  The boys begin by grasping hands and making a "rope" to go around in a circle.

2. Belauntzingo (aurreskuak eta atzeskuak)  The "first hand" and "last hand" dance the belauntzingo to each other.

3. Soka (neska bila aurreskurentzako)  Now after two women have been brought into the circle, the remainder are escorted into the group.

4. Belauntzingo neskari  Two male dancers escort in a woman, then the "first hand" dances the balauntzingo to her

5. Soka (neska bila atzeskuarentzako)  Then this is repeated for the "last hand" to dance

6. Belauntzingo neskari Soka neska guztien bila  Now the "last hand" dances the belauntzingo to one woman

7. Soka  The rest of the women are brought into the circle escorted by the same two males.

8. Belauntzingo denak  All the boys now dance the belauntzingo to the women

9. Inguru handi (aurreko eta atzeko bikoteak)  Now just the first and last couple dance around in a circle

10. Inguru handi (denak) & Zubia (atzetik hasita)  Now the whole group dances around in a circle and at the end the tunnel with the last couple going through to be the first.

11. Inguru handi (denak) & Zubia  Repeat the circle and tunnel to return to original couple positions.

12. Inguru txiki (antxurketarekin)  Now the couples dance to each other, using this step called "antxurketarekin"

13. Inguru txiki  Couples now form a large circle for the:  Fandango & Arin-arin

Photos from moments in the dance:

Soka (mutilak)

Belauntzingo

Soka

Belauntzingo

Inguru txiki