Seann Triubhas
Encyclopedia
The Seann Triubhas is a Highland Dance that is believed to have originated from the rebellion of 1745, when England banned the Highlanders from wearing kilt
s. It is pronounced 'shenn troovass'.
During this rebellion, Bonnie Prince Charlie challenged the might of England at Culloden
. He lost the battle, and as a consequence the Highlanders
were banned from wearing kilts. Kilts, along with bagpipes, were considered by the English as instruments of war. Without their kilts, they had to turn to wearing trousers. About thirty years later, the laws were repealed because of the tartan
fabric fashion craze in London and the Highlanders were allowed to return to their original dress. The Seann Triubhas was created as a dance of celebration. The movements of the dance depict the legs defiantly shaking and shedding the hated trousers, to return to the freedom of the kilt. Some of these steps are believed to have originated from hard shoe dancing. "Seann Triubhas" is a Gaelic phrase which means "Old or Unwanted Trousers".
The first part of this dance depicts the dancer shedding the trousers, but this changes near the end. The dancer will clap, and this tells the bagpiper to speed up the music. The last steps look similar to the Highland Fling
, and symbolize the joy of returning to the kilt.
Considering that tartan trews were part of the Highland wardrobe for chieftains and gentlemen whilst on horseback (the large Highland ponies) from the early 17th century onward, it is more likely that the 'Truibhas' in the dance represent English-style plain trousers (breeches), adopted under duress by Highlanders following the ban on their native Highland kilted dress effective from 1 August 1746 to its repeal on 1 July 1782.
The Seann Triubhas is now danced at most Highland Dance competitions around the world. Dancers usually start dancing it in the Beginner category at competitions, and continue to dance it up to Premier. This dance is also common in most Highland and Theory exams. Dancers wear the standard kilt
outfit to perform this dance.
The first step must always be done to start the dance, but the rest of the steps are up to the dancer to choose. (At the higher levels the SOBHD will release a different order of steps for each year to be danced in championship competitions.) (Dancers taking theory exams may also need to know all of these steps, as well as their order, depending on the level of exam they are at.)
Music - Whistle ower the Lave o't'
Slow Steps Tempo - 94 beats to the minute
First Step: Brushing
Second Step: Side Travel
Third Step: Diagonal Travel
Fourth Step: Backward Travel
Fifth Step: Travelling Balance
Sixth Step: Leap and Highcut
Seventh Step: Highcut in Front and Balance
Eighth Step: Side Heel-and-Toe
Ninth Step: Double Highcutting
Quick Steps Tempo - 114 beats to the minute
Tenth Step: Shedding with Back-Step
Eleventh Step: Toe-and-Heel and Rock
Twelfth Step: Pointing and Back-Stepping
Thirteenth Step: Heel-and-Toe and Shedding
Fourteenth Step: Heel-and-Toe, Shedding, and Back-Stepping
Fifteenth Step: Back-Stepping
Finish Method 1: One Leap
Finish Method 2: Two Leaps
Finish Method 3: Two Highland Fling turns
Kilt
The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
s. It is pronounced 'shenn troovass'.
During this rebellion, Bonnie Prince Charlie challenged the might of England at Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
. He lost the battle, and as a consequence the Highlanders
Gàidhealtachd
The Gàidhealtachd , sometimes known as A' Ghàidhealtachd , usually refers to the Scottish highlands and islands, and especially the Scottish Gaelic culture of the area. The corresponding Irish word Gaeltacht however refers strictly to an Irish speaking area...
were banned from wearing kilts. Kilts, along with bagpipes, were considered by the English as instruments of war. Without their kilts, they had to turn to wearing trousers. About thirty years later, the laws were repealed because of the tartan
Tartan
Tartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
fabric fashion craze in London and the Highlanders were allowed to return to their original dress. The Seann Triubhas was created as a dance of celebration. The movements of the dance depict the legs defiantly shaking and shedding the hated trousers, to return to the freedom of the kilt. Some of these steps are believed to have originated from hard shoe dancing. "Seann Triubhas" is a Gaelic phrase which means "Old or Unwanted Trousers".
The first part of this dance depicts the dancer shedding the trousers, but this changes near the end. The dancer will clap, and this tells the bagpiper to speed up the music. The last steps look similar to the Highland Fling
Highland Fling
This dance is now performed at dance competitions and events around the world. It is no longer danced on a shield, but it is still the goal of the dancer to stay in the same spot throughout the dance. The Highland Fling is danced at almost all competition levels, from Primary to Premier. It is also...
, and symbolize the joy of returning to the kilt.
Considering that tartan trews were part of the Highland wardrobe for chieftains and gentlemen whilst on horseback (the large Highland ponies) from the early 17th century onward, it is more likely that the 'Truibhas' in the dance represent English-style plain trousers (breeches), adopted under duress by Highlanders following the ban on their native Highland kilted dress effective from 1 August 1746 to its repeal on 1 July 1782.
The Seann Triubhas is now danced at most Highland Dance competitions around the world. Dancers usually start dancing it in the Beginner category at competitions, and continue to dance it up to Premier. This dance is also common in most Highland and Theory exams. Dancers wear the standard kilt
Kilt
The kilt is a knee-length garment with pleats at the rear, originating in the traditional dress of men and boys in the Scottish Highlands of the 16th century. Since the 19th century it has become associated with the wider culture of Scotland in general, or with Celtic heritage even more broadly...
outfit to perform this dance.
List of Steps
This dance is usually done with either...- 4 steps (3 slow steps and 1 quick step) 3&1
- 6 steps (4 slow steps and 2 quick steps) 4&2
The first step must always be done to start the dance, but the rest of the steps are up to the dancer to choose. (At the higher levels the SOBHD will release a different order of steps for each year to be danced in championship competitions.) (Dancers taking theory exams may also need to know all of these steps, as well as their order, depending on the level of exam they are at.)
Music - Whistle ower the Lave o't'
Slow Steps Tempo - 94 beats to the minute
First Step: Brushing
Second Step: Side Travel
Third Step: Diagonal Travel
Fourth Step: Backward Travel
Fifth Step: Travelling Balance
Sixth Step: Leap and Highcut
Seventh Step: Highcut in Front and Balance
Eighth Step: Side Heel-and-Toe
Ninth Step: Double Highcutting
Quick Steps Tempo - 114 beats to the minute
Tenth Step: Shedding with Back-Step
Eleventh Step: Toe-and-Heel and Rock
Twelfth Step: Pointing and Back-Stepping
Thirteenth Step: Heel-and-Toe and Shedding
Fourteenth Step: Heel-and-Toe, Shedding, and Back-Stepping
Fifteenth Step: Back-Stepping
Finish Method 1: One Leap
Finish Method 2: Two Leaps
Finish Method 3: Two Highland Fling turns