Linđo

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Linđo is the most popular dance of the Dubrovnik and Dubrovnik region, danced to the accompaniment of lijerica (an old South Dalmatian instrument with three strings, which came from the Eastern Mediterranean and Greece in late 18th century and spread on the Adriatic coast in the 19th century.

It is now extensively performed in Župa Dubrovačka, Dubrovnik coastal region, in Konavle area, on Pelješac Peninsula and on the Islands of Mljet and Lastovo, although it was performed exclusively to the accompaniment of bellows in the past. The dance master plays sitting, with lijerica on his left knee, while stamping with his right foot, thus dictating rhythm to the dancers. They move in a circle around the dance master, who gives commands (in rhyme, humorous and often with double meaning). He also decides who will dance with whom, and dictates change of dance figures, encouraging the dancers to compete in improvisations.

[edit] Origin of name Linđo

The dance got its name after one-time legendary dance leader, Nikola Lale known as Linđo from Župa Dubrovačka. His descendants nowadays live in Župa.