“Shuhplatteln“

The term Schuhplattler originates from the 19th century, but the dance has a much longer history. The oldest description of a dance performed with figures and gestures like the Schuhplattler can already be found in the high medieval Latin epic poem "Ruodlieb" from the 11th century.

Originally, the Schuhplattler was a courtship dance in three-quarter time, in which the young man dances around his girl to a Ländler, performing various jumps, acrobatic figures, yodels, and rhythmic body slaps on thighs, calves, and shoe soles. Finally, a waltz is danced together. The traditional Schuhplattler is therefore always a couple's dance. Until 1850, there were no fixed rules for Schuhplattling, only afterwards were the figures standardized.

The historical distribution area of the Schuhplattler is southern Bavaria, Tyrol, and South Tyrol. However, similar dances with rhythmic body slaps – what we would call body percussion today – can also be found in many other countries, such as Hungary, Norway, and Switzerland.

The Schuhplattler is still cultivated today in many traditional costume and customs associations. Especially in Tyrol and South Tyrol, where customs are highly valued, the Schuhplattler remains popular and widespread. In addition to the traditional form of couple's dance to the Ländler, the last century also saw the development of the pure "Burschenplattler" and the even-beat "Marschplattler" (also called "Holzhacker"). As a special tourist attraction, the "Watschentanz" emerged at the beginning of the 20th century as another variant of the Schuhplattler. The original character of the courtship dance has been lost in the process, and the Schuhplattler has become a performance dance.

In recent years, as part of the renaissance and renewal of folk music, Schuhplattler groups have also formed that try to interpret this beautiful old dance with modern music and new figures in a youthful and contemporary way. In addition, pure women's groups have emerged that have given a fresh impetus to the tradition with the Dirndlplatteln.