Music for Hanter Dro is not so much a particular melody as a rhythm – one that has a moderate tempo and assists the Q,Q,S, ,S, , footwork. There are MANY tunes, and a few songs associated with Hanter Dro.
One song (the song Louise and Germain Hébert used when they introduced the dance to North Americans in 1980, and Yves Moreau repeated in 1981) was Quand l’etais jeune.
Hanter Dro is a dance native to France, specifically to the Celtic region of Brittany.
Hanter dro originated in the Vannes region.
The dance is simple. Walking clockwise sideways, starting on the left foot LR,L, ,R, , The first 2 steps are twice as fast as the 3rd & 4th. Keen readers of my blog may notice that the footwork pattern is yet another version of what I call the Taproot Dance – T-6, the most widespread dance pattern in Europe.
The handhold is a bit unusual. Hanter-dro is danced in chain, traditionally with men and women alternatively. The round is held by the hand, men having their arms over the women’s one they frame. In our folk-dances, as it rarely has as many men as women, the alternation is not necessarily respected and the position of the arms is more left arm from below, right arm over.
The arms do not move during the dance. The body is slightly turned to the left.
The instructor is calling for a slight lift on the left foot at the end of the second slow step, in preparation for the beginning quick-step to the left. Best seen at 0:38-0:43. Caption, Google translated: Before heading out to a fest-noz, discover the basic steps of a Breton dance: the Hanter-dro. Thanks to the introductory workshops at the Cornouaille Festival in Quimper. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKigVwaGvOg
Caption, Google translated: Originally, this dance was a (closed) circle led by a singer, and that’s the form I like. Hanter Dro (literally, half-turn) A double step to the left and a single step in place. The dance is understated and rather weighty; nevertheless, the feet lift well to mark the step. The single step on the right is set slightly back, which is exactly what I don’t do in the video. (You’re not going to beat me!) The Hanter Dro is also danced with the arms going down on the single step and up on the double step to the left. I believe that this was the original version. There must be variations, but that’s where my knowledge ends. Yves Leblanc is on my mind. I liked this gentleman who passed away in 2019. These videos will in no way claim to equal the quality of the workshops you attend throughout the year. What I show is sometimes very incomplete, and the explanations are not always precise enough. I know this because I see it the same way you do, and I’ve decided not to reshoot a video to ensure it’s flawless. Take care, and I look forward to a warm hug soon. Thierry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUOiZZ2psww
Caption Google translated: 2012 http://brunodromigny.free.fr The hanter-dro is a Breton dance originating from the Vannes region. Like the gavotte, it is a dance where the dancers hold each other firmly and is a foot dance (unlike many Vannes dances such as the ridée or the an-dro, which can be considered arm dances). Literally, the Breton word hanter-dro means “half-turn” in French. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6ROg2muvpg
Caption, Google translated: Video excerpt from the workshop organized by the War’l Leur Confederation in partnership with the Roue Waroch Festival in Plescop, led by Dorothée Gy and Catherine Pasco – February 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWzbD40ohi8
Caption (Google translated) Hanter dro performed by Yves Guével and Gwendal Rabé at the 2022 Ronded-Mor Trophy in Locoal. They finished 3rd overall in the arm category, 2nd in dance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpNPsypgMZM
Notice the transition from Hanter Dro (a ‘foot’ dance) to An Dro (a ‘hand’ dance) at 1:52. Caption, Google translated: This “Dañs Trikot,” originating from the Vannes region, was performed at the Ceilidh Folk Ball on Saturday, January 29, 2022, by Folk en Seine, which has been organizing free traditional folk dances every week since 2020. Thanks to Thierry B. for this composition by Michael York, performed by “Red Dog Green Dog.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm4Yw0POOfQ
Caption, Google translated: A Hanter Dro performed on Sunday, May 12, 2013, at the Jardin d’Acclimation for the festival: “la Bretagne en fête”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dW_F-qY8jLg
Folkdance Footnotes 