The Badger's Dance

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 5th lady with 1st couple, and 5th man with 3rd couple, dance right hands across
 5th man and 5th lady finish left hands joined, facing 2nd and 4th couples
 5th, 2nd, and 4th couples set twice
 5th couple turn in to take right hand
9-16 5th man and 5th lady dance out through arches made by 2nd and 4th couples as they dance in
 Meanwhile, 1st and 3rd couples half turn right hand and face clockwise
 2nd and 4th couples dance right hands across
 Meanwhile, 1st, 5th, and 3rd couples chase halfway clockwise
 5th man and 5th lady dance in through arches made by 4th and 2nd couples as they retire to place
 Meanwhile, 1st and 3rd couples half turn right hand to finish in tandem, men leading
17-24 5th couple dance half a reel of four with 3rd and 1st couples (each in tandem)
 5th couple pass right shoulder to 5th man and 5th lady facing 4th and 2nd couples
 Repeat bars 17-20 with 2nd and 4th couples
 5th couple pass right shoulder to 5th man and 5th lady facing 3rd and 1st couples
25-32 Repeat bars 9-16 with 1st and 3rd couples making arches
33-40 5th, 1st, and 3rd couples set twice
 5th couple turn in to take left hand
 5th man with 2nd couple, and 5th lady with 4th couple, dance right hands across
41-48 5th and 1st couples half turn left hand
 5th and 1st couples dance half left hands across while 2nd, 3rd, and 4th couples turn left hand to face anticlockwise
 1st couple turn 1¼ times left hand in the centre
 Meanwhile, outer couples chase ¼ anticlockwise
 Turn partner right hand to finish. 45231

(WEECRIB)

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The Badger's Dance - Full Size And Key To Symbols

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Dance Information

They are found across Europe, Asia, North America and parts of Africa, inhabiting environments such as woodlands, grasslands and farmland.

These animals have sturdy, low-slung bodies with powerful limbs adapted for digging. Their fur varies in colour, often featuring distinctive facial markings. Badgers are primarily nocturnal and live in underground burrow systems known as setts. These setts can be extensive, with multiple chambers and entrances, and are maintained over generations.

Dietary habits differ among species. The European badger consumes a varied diet including earthworms, insects, small mammals, fruits and roots. In contrast, the American badger is more carnivorous, preying on ground-dwelling rodents and using its strong forelimbs to dig them out. The honey badger, native to Africa and parts of Asia, is known for its broad diet, which includes honey, small mammals and venomous snakes.

Reproductive behaviours also vary. European badgers typically mate in spring, with litters of up to five cubs born after a gestation period that includes delayed implantation. Cubs are weaned after a few months but often remain with the family group. American badgers mate in late summer or early autumn, also exhibiting delayed implantation, with young born in early spring.

Under the UK Cruelty to Animals Act 1835 and the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 it is an offence to kill, injure, or take a badger or to interfere with a sett unless under license from a statutory authority.

In certain areas, badgers are culled in an attempt to reduce the transmission of bovine tuberculosis to cattle. Numerous studies however indicate that these culls have very limited success in controlling the disease.

Badgers contribute significantly to their ecosystems by helping to regulate insect and rodent numbers. Their digging also alters soil composition and structure, which can positively affect plant growth and habitat conditions for other species.

Badgers Dance Around Sett, Circle, Chase Anticlockwise

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