This entry is part of the Lexicon of Klezmer Terminology (LKT). The LKT compiles a wide array of source materials that shed light on the historical and contemporary state of knowledge about klezmer music. Each entry includes a number of citations from primary and secondary sources that include or refer to the term in question. It also indicates whether musical notation or sound recordings are included in the source. By clicking on the bibliographic hyperlink at the end of each citation, you get the full reference.
“Bobes Tanz [is a dance] for the grandmothers [to perform].” EncyJud 1971, p. 1266.
“The Bube’s tanz: The grandmother honors the bride and groom with a dance.” Lapson 1943, p. 461.
“The bride had her space, where the women quibbled with the girls, [and] there a konter-tants was danced for [the women’s] approval... next: a semele, a tsigayner-tants, [and] a sheyne minke -- this was already done among the grandmothers’ dances, but this [one] was after the khupe.” [Vilna, Lithuania, 1890s]. Matskevits 1893.
“When the bride and groom returned from the khupe old women... dance against them with ‘bobe’ [old type of cake]... Hershl Danilevitsh (Poland) (Heri Daniels) in his collection of new paintings brings a portrait (#3) [of the]... ‘semeli dance with challah.’” Rivkind 1960, p. 31.
“Bobes Tants: Grandmother dance. The grandmothers of the bride and groom dance together.” Roskies and Roskies 1975, p. 232.