The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

THE FAREWELL DANCE

THIS IS A DANCE THAT WAS DANCED FOR THE BRIDE, JUST BEFORE
THE WEDDING. IT SYMBOLIZES THE ENDING OF HER YOUNG MAIDEN
DAYS, FOR NOW SHE MUST BECOME A WOMAN. TO SYMBOLIZE THIS,
THE DANCE IS DANCED WITH A SINGLE FLOWER HELD BY EACH GIRL
(EACH GIRL HAS A FLOWER).
HERE IN AMERICA, AMONG THE LITHUANIANS, THE DANCE IS
DANCED AT GRAMMAR SCHOOL GRADUATIONS (FROM LITHUANIAN
SCHOOLS); AT DEBUTANTE BALLS TO MARK THE HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATION OF LITHUNIAN GIRLS. THE DEBS DANCE THE DANCE
THEMSELVES.

Date learned: 03-25-1972