By

S.J Asher

Daily writing prompt

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

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We all carry pieces of our ancestors within us, don’t we? 

For me, it’s the rhythmic stomping of feet and the joyous clapping of hands that echo through time. 

I’m a Bessarabian Bulgarian, and our horo dance is more than just movement – it’s our heartbeat, our history, our connection.

Hands linked, we form a circle. The horo begins.

Slow at first, then building, the music pulses through us. 

Our feet respond, tapping out ancient patterns.

Why does horo matter so much? It’s our history in motion. 

Think about it – how many generations have danced these same steps? Through wars and hard times, the dance lived on.

Horo brings us together. Young and old, friends and strangers – all welcome in the circle. Isn’t that something special?

The dance looks simple but it’s tricky. Short, quick steps mix with longer sweeping ones. 

Kind of like life, right?

We live in a world that changes fast. But our horo keeps going. It changes a bit, sure, but stays true to itself.

Every time I join the circle, I feel it. The connection. The joy. The pride. It’s not just steps – it’s our story, told through movement.

Horo isn’t stuck in the past. It’s alive, here and now. We dance it at weddings, festivals, or just because. It’s how we celebrate, how we remember, how we belong.

This dance is my link to those who came before. But it’s also my way of living fully in the present.

What about you? What parts of your heritage light you up? What traditions make you feel connected to something bigger than yourself?