The Slavic groups that occupied the area of present-day Poland were first united under the Piast dynasty and Christianized in the tenth century. The royal crown eventually passed to the Jagiello dynasty (1386-1572), under whom Poland enjoyed its golden age. The arts and sciences flourished, and a Polish-Lithuanian state, created in 1569, maintained an empire that reached from the Baltic to the Black Sea.

      The vintage Mazourka (Masovia Women) or Mazurka (English) originated in the province of Mazovie, Poland near Warsaw and became its national dance in Poland's golden age (Sixteenth Century). Originally it was called the "Holubiec or Holupca," named after the brass

metal heels, which they strike while dancing. The Oberek, Polska and kujawiak are related.

      The Mazurka is sometimes called the "Masur or Masurek" by the people of Poland while its name is derived from the tribe called "Masures" who dwell in what was once the Duchy of Masovia (Mazowsze.) From Poland it went to Russia and formed a Russian Mazurka with the soldiers then on to England in 1845 by the Duke Of Devonshire (1833-1908) and became nationalized in Paris, France and other countries.

      However it never gained real attention because it is a very artistic and difficult dance to learn. It was originally performed exclusively as a classic dance, and consisted of numerous figures and steps, all of which it is now divested, except a few of the elementary movements. The music of the Mazourka is in 3/4 or 3/8 measure and Markowsky is credited for composing the first Mazurka. The Mazurka is said to be a interpreted dance, meaning that the basic steps are taught, but it is up to the dancer to interpret it as they see fit. Here is a passage from Henri Celarius book "La Danse des Salons" in 1847 on the Mazurka: "The real dancer of the mazurka not only varies his steps, but more frequently invents them, creating new ones that belong only to himself, and which others would be wrong in copying with servility. One of the great advantages of this dance is, that it leaves to each his individuality, and prevents those, who practice it, from seeming as if formed upon the same model".

      The "Melancholy Mazourka" is said to be the most beautiful dance of all time when executed correctly and was hailed as the "Queen of Social Dances." It seems to express sentiments of sweetness and tenderness. It is full of elegance--of an indolent elegance; it is not a vulgar dance; its slowness has something aristocratic about it, even a little haughtiness. The waltz has more passion, but there is grace also in the undulating and gliding Mazurka. While doing the Mazourka, the movements are always made sideways while the man does not overly exert himself, is very proud in posture and the ladies perform the most perfect grace.

      Princess Maria Nicolaevna, daughter of Emperor, Nicholas I of Russia, who married Maximillian in 1839 is credited with creating the Polka Mazur in 1830 which was basically a waltz. The Polka Mazourka is of Polish origin, and is a very graceful dance. It is a combination of the Polka and Mazourka steps. Slide the left foot forward (count one); bring the right foot up to the left; at the same time raise the left foot, extending it, pointing the foot down (count two); bring the left back close to the right, at the same time springing on the right foot without touching the left on the floor (count three); then execute the Polka Redowa step (count three). Commence the whole with the right foot; the Mazourka part is executed forward without turning; then turn half round with the Polka Redowa step; repeat, and you make the whole round.

      There became many variations of the Mazurka, some were original and some were mixtures of other dances such as: Mazurka-Valse, Mazourka-Schottische etc.
The "Polacco" is a sister dance to the Mazurka, written in 3/4 time and can be graceful and melancholic and other times lively, more animated. and its movements vary.
The Polska has a similar rhythm to the Mazurka and is related. In Russian courts, the Polonaise dance opened the dance and the Mazurka would finish it. By the way, in Latin writings it was referred to as 'Chorea polonica'.

      The Palantines invented the custom of drinking from the shoe of the dancer after dancing an extravagant Mazurka. The Gedrosian Prince has been noted as drinking champagne from Taglioni's shoe after she danced a Mazourka in a five act Ballet. The Mazurka is not at all like the version most people have seen in the "Adams Family Movie" which made fun of the dance and its name.

   Some pattern names of the Mazourka are:
Pas Glisse (basic Mazourka step) | bieg mazurowy (running steps) | Pas Ordinaire | Pas de Flore | Pas Boiteux | Pas de Basque | Assemblies | Phrases | Les Pas Battus (heel strikes) | holubiec (Heel strikes) | Laterales are names of some of the steps of the Mazurka, plus a whole lot more.

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