{{short description|Dances traditionally performed in Greece}}{{more citations needed|date=October 2018}}{{Music of Greece}}Greek dance (choros; ) is an old tradition, being referred to by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian.Raftis, Alkis, The World of Greek Dance Finedawn, Athens (1987) p25. There are different styles and interpretations from all of the islands and surrounding mainland areas. Each region formed its own choreography and style to fit in with their own ways. For example, island dances have more of a different smooth flow to them, while Pontic dancing closer to the Black Sea, is very sharp. There are over 10,000 traditional dances that come from all regions of Greece. There are also pan-Hellenic dances, which have been adopted throughout the Greek world. These include specifically the Syrtos, Kalamatianos, Pyrrhichios, Ballos, Zeibekiko, and hasapiko.Traditional Greek dancing has a primarily social function. It brings the community together at key points of the year, such as Easter, the grape harvest or patronal festivals; and at key points in the lives of individuals and families, such as weddings. For this reason, tradition frequently dictates a strict order in the arrangement of the dancers, for example, by age.Raftis, Alkis, The World of Greek Dance Finedawn, Athens(1987) p117.Greek dances are performed also in diaspora Greek communities among international folk dance groups.

Ancient Greek dances

File:Olpe Pan maenad BM F381.jpg|thumb|God Pan and a Maenad dancing. Ancient Greek red-figured olpe from Apulia ApuliaFile:Dancing Nymphs.JPG|thumb|Women dancing. Ancient Greek bronze, 8th century BCE, Archaeological Museum of Olympia Archaeological Museum of Olympia

In Ancient Greece, dance was a form of ritual, as well as a pastime.Fitton, J.W. “Greek Dance”. The Classical Quarterly, vol. 23, no. 2, 1973, pp. 254. Dance could be included in hunting communities, initiation ceremony rituals of age, marriage, and death, entertainment, dance festivals, and religious activity.Fitton, J.W. “Greek Dance”. The Classical Quarterly, vol. 23, no. 2, 1973, pp. 254-255. It was also viewed as a way to educate children about social norms and morals, and was viewed as being essential for physical and emotional development.Lawler, Lillian Brady. “The Dance in Ancient Greece”. The Classical Journal, vol. 42, no. 6, 1947, pp. 344-346. Dance was used in regard to war as a form of military training, as well as a ritual that served as a mediator between the gods and humans.Lawler, Lillian Brady. “The Dance in Ancient Greece”. The Classical Journal, vol. 42, no. 6, 1947, pp. 344.Vesterinen, Manna. “Communicative Aspects of Ancient Greek Dance”. ARCTOS, vol. 31, 1998, pp. 181. What modern times may consider a parade, military drill, funeral, children’s game, these were seen as forms of dance as long as they were meant to be an exhibition of a rhythmic performance.Lawler, Lillian Brady. “The Dance in Ancient Greece”. The Classical Journal, vol. 42, no. 6, 1947, pp. 345-346. Suda mention an ancient Greek dance which was called Dipodia (Î”Î¹Ï€Î¿Î´Î¯Î±), meaning two-step/two-footer.Suda, delta, 1263

Modern and regional dances

Aegean Islands

File:Schwimmfest 1958 26 C.jpg|thumb|200px|Folk dancers from Thasos Thasos(File:Greek line dancers Belmont California.jpg|thumb|200px|Greek dancers, Belmont, California)File:Dancerspatmos.jpg|thumb|200px|Dancers from Patmos PatmosFile:Astypalaia goodbye Asty65.jpg|thumb|200px|Dancers from Astypalaia AstypalaiaThe Aegean islands have dances which are fast in pace and light and jumpy. Many of these dances, however, are couples dances, and not so much in lines. See Nisiotika for more information.{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

{{div col end}}(File:Island dancing in concert.jpg|thumb|Dance group in Sydney performing dances of Aegean islands)

Crete

File:Sfakia-dance.jpg|thumb|Cretan dancers]]These dances are light and jumpy, and extremely cardiovascular.{{Div col|colwidth=22em}} {{div col end}}

Central Greece

Epirus

(File:Pogonisios 4.jpg|thumb|Pogonisios steps)Epirote dances are the most slow and heavy in all of Greece. Great balance is required in order to perform these dances.{{Div col|colwidth=22em}}

Peloponnese

The dances of the Peloponnese are very simple and heavy, with the leader of the line improvising.{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}

Ionian Islands

(File:Aspiotis 113.jpg|thumb|Corfiot peasant dance (1906)){{Div col|colwidth=18em}} {{div col end}}

Macedonia

Dances in Macedonia vary. Most are solid and are performed using heavy steps, whilst others are fast and agile. Most dances begin slow and increase in speed.{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}Western Macedonia Eastern Macedonia

Thessaly

Dances in Thessaly are similar in style to the dances of Epirus. Mostly with slow, heavy movements. However, there are some dances that are also faster paced. The leader can improvise in these dances similarly to those dances from the Epirus, Central Greece and Peloponnese. {{Div col|colwidth=18em}}

Arvanites

Thrace

Thracian dance is generally skippy and light. In most Thracian dances, the men are only permitted to dance at the front of the line. Musicians and singers such as Chronis Aidonidis and Kariofilis Doitsidis have brought to life the music of Thrace.{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}

Northern Thrace / Eastern Thrace

The dances of (Northern Thrace) are fast, upbeat and similar to the Thracian style of dance. Dances from the town of Kavakli and Neo Monastiri are the most popular.{{Div col|colwidth=18em}} {{div col end}}

Pontus

The dances of the Pontic Greeks from the Black Sea were mostly performed by the Pontic soldiers in order to motivate themselves before going into a battle. The dances are accompanied by the Pontian lyra, also called kemenche by Turkish people. Also included are dances traditionally performed by Caucasus Greeks and Greeks in Ukraine. See Horon for more information on the history of these dances.{{Div col|colwidth=18em}} {{div col end}}

Asia Minor

{{Col-begin}}{{Col-3}}Erythrae

{{Col-3}}CappadociaThe Cappadocian dances were mainly sung in the Cappadocian dialect of Cappadocian Greeks or the Karamanlides. Dances varied from social dances to ritualistic dances.

{{Col-3}}SinasosThe Dances & Songs of Sinasos Mustafapasa.

Constantinople

Southern Italy)“>

Griko (Southern Italy)

Cyprus

{{Col-begin}}{{Col-2}}Men’s Dances

{{Col-2}}Women’s Dances

Aromanians

Sarakatsani

Greek dancing in the United States

Within the United States, Greek Americans participate in Greek dancing in order to preserve their heritage and culture. Greeks of all ages can be seen showcasing their skills at Greek Festivals which take place year round, often hosted by Greek Orthodox churches, or at various competitions in which groups practice dances from specific parts of Greece in order to perform in front of judges.

Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF)

Since 1976, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco has held a convention that allows Greek Dance groups from various churches in the Pacific Region of the United States to compete. Up to 3,000 people participate annually and it is described as the largest youth ministry program in the Metropolis of San Francisco.WEB,www.yourfdf.org/event/fdf-2020/, FDF 2020, Your FDF, en-US, 2020-02-19, Within the competition, there are four divisions, two of which are judged and two of which are exhibition suites. Division I and Division II are judged by a table of judges who have done years of research in Greece and instructed others on the styling and other important elements of Greek dancing. Each competing team will be placed into a division and group based on the average age of the team.WEB,www.yourfdf.org/fdf-categories/, FDF Categories, McGuire, Tim, Your FDF, en-US, 2020-02-19, Each team performs two times and perfected suites that can be from many places in Greece (islands, mainland, villages) and feature many different dances. The judges will score the teams based on their costumes, singing, stage presence, styling, and how closely it resembles the region that their suite is from.

References

External links

Video Medley of dances from northern Greek as danced in Turkey (including Gaida, Sirto, Karaguna, Tsamiko, Vlaha, Zeibek). Recording by Thede Kahl in 2016 in Incirliova: XurÃ©vume rumÃ©ika stu jufÃr â€“ Dancing on the Greek Bridge of Ä°kizdere; performers: SarÄ±kaya family; camera: Thede Kahl; interview: Thede Kahl, Andreea Pascaru; retrieved from the Austrian Academy of Sciences
In Greek - Traditional Dance by region
Greek Dance Archives

Video Examples of Regional Greek Dances

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Greek dances

Ancient Greek dances

Modern and regional dances

Northern Thrace / Eastern Thrace

Pontus

Griko (Southern Italy)

Greek dancing in the United States

Greek Orthodox Folk Dance and Choral Festival (FDF)

See also

References

External links