Sotis Batan

Meaning: A name adaptation of “chotis”

Dance Culture: Christian Lowland
Place of Origin: Barangay Mandong, Batan, Aklan
Ethno Linguistic Group: Aklanon
Classification: Social Dance

Background / Context:

The dance originated from Barangay Mandong, Batan, Aklan which

adapted a foreign term called chotis to a Visayan pronunciation of sotis. This
dance is usually performed during a Saturday prayer which is called
“Sabaduhan”. According to the old folks of the Barangay, merry making takes
place after prayers and Sotis is one of the dances performed.

Dance Properties:

Costume:
Female: Kimona with soft pañuelo on one shoulder and
patadyong or serpentine skirt.
Male: Camisa de Chino and any colored pair of pants.
Footwear: Optional

Music: 2/4 Composed of three parts: A, B and C.

Count: One, and , two, and to a measure.
Formation: Partners stand opposite each other about six feet apart. When
facing audience, Girl stands at partner’s side. One to any number
of pairs may take in this dance.

Dance Steps:
(a) PUNDAY PUNDAY
Step R (L) foot in place (ct.1), stamp L (R) foot close to R (L) (ct.and), step L (R) in
place (ct.2), stamp R (L) close to L (R) foot (ct.and).........................................1 M
This can be done turning in place.
(b) SOTIS STEP
Raise R (L) leg sideward (ct.and), step R (L) sideward (ct.1), close L (R) to R (L)
(ct.and), step R (L) sideward (ct.2), close L (R) to R (L) and immediately raise R
foot................................................................................................................1 M

INTRODUCTION
Music Introduction
Partners face each other.
 (a) Take two cross-change steps sideward R and L, Boy’s hands on waist, Girl holds
skirt................................................................................................................2 M
(b) Two steps forward R and L, hands as in (a) (cts.1, and), stamp R foot in place and
push R arm forward (ct.2), bend head backward (ct.and)................................1 M
(c) Execute two-step turn right, hands as in (a) (cts.1, and), step R in rear and point
L foot in front, arms in second position (cts.2, and).........................................1 M

I
Music A
Partners face each other.
(a) With R foot leading, take two sotis step sideward, arms in lateral position to the
left, twist head to the left looking at partner...................................................2 M
(b) Take two punday punday steps turning right in place, hands as in (a), finish with
R shoulder toward the next corner. See diagram............................................2 M
X <-------------- O

--------------->
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) three times more.............................................................12 M

II
Music B
Partners face each other.
(a) Take two-cross steps sideward R and L, salok R and L arm in front alternately,
free arm down at side.....................................................................................2 M
(b) Escotis forward R and L, finish back to back in one line at center with Girl facing
audience, boy facing away. Hands as in Introduction (a).................................2 M
(c) Pivot turn half-clockwise with partner to exchange places, arms sideward....2 M
(d) Take three step hops turning right in place to face partner, hands as in (b), Girl
faces audience, Boy away. Close L foot to R on the last count.........................2 M
(e) Escotis R and L place, hands as in (b)...............................................................2 M
(f) Repeat (d) going to partner’s place, R arm in fifth position, free hand on skirt for
Girl and waist for the Boy...............................................................................2 M
(g) Two change-steps forward R and L to meet partner at the center, forearm turn R
and L alternately to lateral forward................................................................2 M
(h) Join R hands with partner, free hand as in (f). Boy takes three step-hops forward
to proper places, Girl takes three step-hops turning to proper places (cts.1, and
2, and; 1, and), close L foot to R (cts.2, and)....................................................2 M

III
Music C
Partners face each other. They do their movements simultaneously.
Boy:
 (a) Two change steps forward to meet partner to meet partner at center, arms as
Figure II (g).....................................................................................................2 M
(b) Take two escotis steps R and L in place, hands as in (a)...................................2 M
(c) Stamp R foot in rear (1M). Stamp same foot in front as if stepping the foot of
Girl (1M).........................................................................................................2 M
(d) Take three step-hops forward passing R to R shoulder with partner, finish at the
back of the Girl, hands as in (a) (cts.1, and, 2, and; 1, and), close L foot to R (cts.2,
and).....................................................................................................2 M
Girl:
(a) Brush R foot obliquely forward right (ct.1), bring R foot across L in rear (ct.2).
Brush R foot obliquely forward right (ct.1), brush same backward (ct.2).........2 M
(b) Repeat (b) of Boy, hand holds skirt.................................................................2 M
(c) Repeat (c) of Boy but stamp forward and backward........................................2 M
(d) Take three step-hops in place (cts.1, and, 2, and; 1, and), close step L (cts.2,
and)................................................................................................................2 M
Boy and Girl:
(a) With Boy at the back of Girl, join R hands, arm sideward; join L hands on waist of
Girl, take four gallop steps sideward right.......................................................2 M
(b) Release hold and take six step-hops turning clockwise around the Boy..........6 M

IV
Music B
Partners face each other.
(a) Take two hop polkas forward, finish R to R shoulders with partner, Boy facing
audience, Girl away. Place hands at back of waist...........................................2 M
(b) Two change steps backward away from partner.............................................2 M
(c) Execute two sotis steps sideward right, arms as in Figure I (a).........................2 M
(d) Take two punday punday steps turning right to partner’s place, finish side by
side with Boy facing audience, Girl away........................................................2 M
(e) Two escotis steps inward and outward............................................................2 M
(f) Take three step-hops turning right in place, close L foot R.............................2 M
(g) Repeat (e) starting with the L foot..................................................................2 M
(h) Repeat (f) to proper places. Finish close to partner facing each other............2 M

V
Music C
Partners hold in ballroom position. This can be danced in any direction.
(a) Two sotis steps sideward starting with the outside foot..................................2 M
(b) Take four step-hops with a kick at the back, turning right in place..................2 M
(c) Repeat (a) and (b) facing opposite direction with extended arms at the
back...............................................................................................................4 M
(d) Repeat (a – c) to any direction and release hold of inside hands. Girl takes a slow
turn right and bow to audience on the last measure.......................................8 M