The contra or longways dance can be traced back several hundred years to England. Many of our historic square dance moves can find their roots in English Country dancing. These were set patterns done in a square formation by the military on horse back. It has been suggested that the French took the movements of the English longways sets and adapted them to squares for people to dance. This term is still encountered today in parts of square dancing.
Dancers are contrary or opposite each other.
Contra and Square Dancing coexisted in the 1700's, 1800's and 1900's. Barn dances would include dancing by couples, circles of couples, lines of dancers and squares of dancers. The late 40's and early 50's saw a very basic, limited movement square dance activity. Easy rounds, visiting couple squares and contras all danced to the same simple choreography and movements. Square and round dancing was reaching out for new horizons while contra dance participants were content to live with and enjoy their simple familiar contras.