ABOUT ZWIEFACHE

          Zwiefache are turning couple dances that alternate between even and uneven rhythms in regular and irregular intervals. These dances are known from Bohemia, diagonally across the German language area into Bavaria, Frankonia, Swabia, Rhineland- Palatine and Alsace. Zwiefache are documented as early as the middle of the sixteenth century. However, the evidence is musical only and it is not known if they were danced. A musical notebook dated 1740 gives the tune to 'Nagelschmied'. It is the first documentation of a specific dance that is still danced.

          There has been much discussion among dance scholars as to the ethnic origins of Zwiefacher forms, resulting in a large body of literature on the subject. The questions whether the dance came to the German area via Bohemian immigrants, or to Bohemia (where it is called 'Bavorak' i.e. 'Bavarian') with German settlers, is still not answered. It is certain that cross-fertilization took place.

          The word 'Zwiefacher' (pronounced 'tsweefacher') derives from the

prefix 'zwie-' which implies duality: one entity with two aspects, as opposed to 'zwei'- tswi- (two), meaning two separate entities that are alike. Other words expressing this concept are 'Zwielicht' (twilight, light that is neither light nor dark),   'Zwilling' (twin: one ovum, two people ) and 'Zwieback' (one cookie with two distinct halves twice baked), 'Zwiesel' ( a bifurcated Branch), 'Zwitter' (Hermaphrodite: an animal with both sexual characteristics); 'Zwietracht' ( Feud: one object of contention- two opposing views) English uses the syllable 'twi-' : ('twin', 'twilight')- to express the same idea.

          It is possible to see the word written as 'Zwiefacher', 'Zwiefache' or 'Zwiefachen'. This is due to the case endings which are determined by grammatical context. However, it is never spelled or pronounced 'Zweifacher' (tswi...)*. Native born Germans understand the difference between 'Zwie-' and 'Zwei', both in concept and in pronunciation. It is not a dialect term, nor does it have anything to do with the most recent spelling reform. This reform concerned itself with capitalization of nouns, writing two adjectives together or separately, splitting syllabi and whether two compound nouns -one ending in two consonants, the following one beginning with the same consonant- should be spelled with all three, or drop one of those consonants.(Schifffahrt or Schiffahrt ?- a boat trip)

          The problem arises among English-speaking dancers. From years of experience as a German language teacher, both on the High School and Graduate level, I know that it is difficult for students to distinguish between * Me' and 'ei'. Even if the student might have had German speaking parents, studied the language in high school or college or even lived in Germany, he might not understand the conceptual distinction between the prefix 'zwie-' and the number 'zwei'. If a North-German dancer does say 'Zweifacher' he probably never heard Zwiefacher music and interprets the term as meaning one of those dances which alternate between 16 or 32 meas. 3/4 time and the same in 2/4 time, the classic dance form of a slow 'Schreittanz' followed by a fast 'gesprungener Nachtanz' ( a slow, calm stepped dance followed by a faste, leaped, hopped dance). However, these types of dances are not Zwiefache because the figures and the musical phrase could stand alone as independent dance, while the irregular change of 3/4 and 2/4 meas. of Zwiefache can't be separated.

          Zwiefache are known by other names as well. 'Heuberger' in the Black Forest, 'Bayrischer' in the Palatine, (not to be confused with 'Boarischer' which is another type of dance) 'Eintreter' in the Upper-Palatine, 'Grad und Ungrad' in the Bavarian Forest and many more . Not only are these dances known by many names, but they are danced in many different ways. In the 'Kuhlandchen', a formerly German speaking area in the Czech Republic that was settled by people from Fankonia, these rhythm -changing dances are called 'Mischlich' (literally translated 'mixed one' from the infinitive 'mischen'- to mix) They alternate between Polka, Waltz, and Pivot steps. In the Egerland, also a former German language area of the Czech Republic, Zwiefache are sometime danced in figures instead of continuous turning. Some authors and dancers classify as Zwiefache also those dances that alternate between Pivot and Two-steps. Two examples are 'Weiss Blau' and 'Hott Scheck'.

          Today, this dance type is very much alive and still exists outside the organized folk dance movement. The dancing style is very smooth and upright. Partners hold each other in ballroom position or in closed position. The best dancers are thought to be those who turn calmly and remain almost in place, rather than spinning wildly and traveling at great speed across the dance floor. Folkmyth has it that some could dance on a round bread board or under a chandelier without progressing.

          Since Zwiefache are danced by people of all walks of life, even by those who are not FOLK DANCERS , they are considered social dances specific to certain regions. However, that does not preclude that folk dancers do not also cultivate this dance in their groups. Zwiefache are seldom 'taught', instead, dancers listen to the music or sing the words to the tunes. Speaking or singing the words helps to determine the pattern of the dance.

          Together with traditional dances like the Boarischer, Zwiefache continue to form a large portion of the repertoire of the South-German dance tradition. KPG

          The above material is based on an article written for the syllabus of a summer cause for German Teachers at St. Olaf College, Northfield, MI, 1977.

KPG

* German 'ie'- English 'ee' (long 'ee')        German 'ei'- English “i”