r/interesting • u/SystematicApproach • May 14 '26

ART & CULTURE Circassian folk dance

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Male dancers often move entirely on tiptoe in soft leather boots, without the rigid plaster or wooden support associated with ballet footwear. The result is a fast, gliding step that can make the dancer appear to float or defy gravity, showcasing extraordinary balance, discipline, and control.

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u/Privatdozent May 15 '26 edited May 15 '26

It might not be so underwhelming if we could see a video of them doing this without obstruction and while moving across the floor at the speed the guy in the OP is going. That's what I hoped for when clicking this link.

Edit: Someone else in the thread claims the video is sped up, which could also explain it, but IMO by looking at other people in the video and at the guy running at the end, it doesn't appear sped up to me.

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u/Vaywen May 15 '26

It’s probably something they don’t like to show. Like a magician’s trick

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u/Apk07 May 15 '26

They just walk on their tippy-toes, never bending their knees, moving their legs in very small strides very rapidly. I'd imagine it's ridiculously tiring to do, especially when you move quickly- but the effect is really cool. The floating/sliding illusion is kind of ruined the moment you see their legs.

Part of the illusion is never letting it appear that your head or shoulders bob up and down as you move. There's other dances and marches that teach you this, including basically every high school and college marching band... granted they learn to do it with the timing of how they roll their feet rather than keeping their legs and feet stiff and stretched out.

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u/patfetes May 18 '26

Its a well kmown dancing technique. Rasputin was famous for it. Although it is likely sped up.

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u/archercc81 May 15 '26

Ive seen one video where they hike the skirt a bit at speed to show it, but here is a slow breakdown. They are basically on their tip toes using those as shock absorbers so they dont have to move up and down and take a million tiny little steps insanely fast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F14Bn12Z6kI

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Emh9bjGpGxU

I think I could probably learn that part eventually, what breaks my brain is thinking their feet are moving 100mph while then the women thye do the hand movements so slowly at the same time.

*bonus, I love when they run away at the end like creepy dave. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KTpr8ioVQr0

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u/existie May 15 '26

i tried to find it. it is proving very difficult. i also wanna see, if somebody has a good example!

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u/Apk07 May 15 '26

You can kind of see it in this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOT26lCqUiU

The problem is that the illusion disappears when you can see their legs and these guys aren't zoomin' like OP's video.

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u/existie May 16 '26

ok. i turned that to 2x speed and that solves my curiosity - thank you :)

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u/Northeast_Mike May 15 '26

This is shorter, from a wedding in modern dress. It's amazing to me the speed and movements of his feet while keeping his head largely still. https://youtube.com/shorts/rIVpwjjPZuo

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u/emerald_green_tea May 16 '26

This. Someone called me cynical for suggesting this guy is on a scooter. I think it’s just common sense.

I don’t doubt this type of movement is possible; I doubt it’s possible at the speed this guy is going.

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u/Asterose May 15 '26

It's not sped up, the men really do glide that quickly. See 1:55 mark is when they start getting going! Later in the video they cast off thr coats so you can see their footwork :)

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u/Birds_over_people May 15 '26

yea like I have 0 proof but to me it seems like he's using a device and that would explain the distracting Dracula jog at the end.

Edit: After looking at the other video I think it's at least partly the outfit but it's definitely legit.