Shota (or Shotë; Serbian: Шота / Šota) is an popular dance in Albania and Kosovo. It was popularised and choreographed by Olga Skovran for the Serbian Ensemble "Kolo" in 1952, and a song based on its melody became widely popular in the 1970s. It involves synchronised steps and a strong rhythm. It is commonly played at weddings, folk festivals and other events.

History

Shota originated as a popular Albanian dance from Kosovo. This dance was popularised in a choreography by Olga Skovran for the Serbian national ensemble "Kolo" in 1952. A song based on its melody became widely popular in the 1970s. This popularization helped the dance spread to the southern Danube Gorge in the 1970s, reach the northern side in the 1990s after borders opened, and more recently gain popularity at Romanian events in Banat. Additionally, one folklore musical ensemble in SFR Yugoslavia Yugoslavia was named Šota. In March 2013, the Assembly of Republic of Kosovo approved a law which makes ‘Shota’ a part of the cultural activities of the National Ensemble of Songs and Dances. Since the time of its inception the community keeps organising events that replicates the dance form Shota and are socially very active in areas of cleanliness, awareness about the dance form and the dress codes related to it.