Greek dances
Encyclopedia
Greek dance is a very old tradition, being referred to by authors such as Plato
, Aristotle
, Plutarch
and Lucian
. 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 dance
s have more of a "watery" flow to them, while Pontic dancing closer to Black Sea
, is very sharp. There are over 4000 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 the tsamikos, syrtos
, and Kalamatianos
.
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. Visitors tempted to join in a celebration should be careful not to violate these arrangements, in which the prestige of the individual villagers may be embodied.
Greek dances are performed often in diaspora Greek communities, and among international folk dance
groups.
Aegean Islands
The 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 informations.
Crete
These dances are light and jumpy, and extremely cardiovascular.
Central Greece
Epirus
Epirote dances are the most slow and heavy in all of Greece. Great balance is required in order to perform these dances.
Peloponnese
The dances of the Peloponnese are very simple and heavy, with the leader of the line improvising.
Ionian Islands
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.
Western Macedonia
Eastern Macedonia
Thessaly
Dances in Thessaly are similar in style to the dances of Epirus. Mostly heavy, and some are fast. The leader, however, improvises, just like those in the Peloponnese.
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 Hronis Aithonidis and Kariofilis Doitsidis have brought to life the music of Thrace.
Northern 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.
Pontus
The dances of the Pontic Greeks
from the Black Sea, were mostly performed by Pontian 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. See Horon for more information on the history of these dances.
Asia Minor
Erythrae
Cappadocia
Cyprus
Men's Dances
Women's Dances
Aromanians
Sarakatsani
Plato
Plato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
, Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
, Plutarch
Plutarch
Plutarch then named, on his becoming a Roman citizen, Lucius Mestrius Plutarchus , c. 46 – 120 AD, was a Greek historian, biographer, essayist, and Middle Platonist known primarily for his Parallel Lives and Moralia...
and Lucian
Lucian
Lucian of Samosata was a rhetorician and satirist who wrote in the Greek language. He is noted for his witty and scoffing nature.His ethnicity is disputed and is attributed as Assyrian according to Frye and Parpola, and Syrian according to Joseph....
. 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 dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
s have more of a "watery" flow to them, while Pontic dancing closer to Black Sea
Black Sea
The Black Sea is bounded by Europe, Anatolia and the Caucasus and is ultimately connected to the Atlantic Ocean via the Mediterranean and the Aegean seas and various straits. The Bosphorus strait connects it to the Sea of Marmara, and the strait of the Dardanelles connects that sea to the Aegean...
, is very sharp. There are over 4000 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 the tsamikos, syrtos
Syrtos
Syrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
, and Kalamatianos
Kalamatianos
The Kalamatianós Dance is one of the best known dances of Greece. It is popular Greek folkdance throughout Greece, Cyprus and internationally and is often performed at many social gatherings worldwide. As is the case with most Greek folk dances, it is danced in circle with a counterclockwise...
.
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. Visitors tempted to join in a celebration should be careful not to violate these arrangements, in which the prestige of the individual villagers may be embodied.
Greek dances are performed often in diaspora Greek communities, and among international folk dance
International folk dance
International folk dance is a genre of dance wherein selected folk dances from multiple ethnic groups are done by the same dancers, typically as part of a regular recreational dance club, for performances or at other events. The dances are typically considered the products of national or cultural...
groups.
Ancient Greek dances
- Angelica (dance)Angelica (dance)Angelica was a celebrated dance among the ancient Greeks, performed at their feasts. It was thus called from the Greek ἄγγελος , by reason, as Pollux assures us, the dancers were dressed in the habit of messengers....
- AntistropheAntistropheAntistrophe is the portion of an ode sung by the chorus in its returning movement from west to east, in response to the strophe, which was sung from east to west.It has the nature of a reply and balances the effect of the strophe...
- CarpaeaCarpaeaCarpaea among the Aenianians, Magnesians, and Macedonians was a kind of mimic military dance, performed by two persons; the one acting as a laborer, the other as a robber...
- Choreia (dance)
- CordaxCordaxThe cordax , was a provocative, licentious, and often obscene mask dance of ancient Greek comedy. In his play the The Clouds, Aristophanes complains that other playwrights of his time try to hide the feebleness of their plays by bringing an old woman onto the stage to dance the cordax...
- DionysiakosDionysiakosDionysiakos is a form of Greek dances and customs from ancient Greece.Dionysiakos and it's forms revived today in many areas of Greece like Peloponnese, central Greece and Crete with the most well-known the Phallus festival one, in the area of Tyrnavos, Larissa...
- HyporchemaHyporchemaThe hyporchema was a lively kind of mimic dance which accompanied the songs used in the worship of Apollo, especially among the Dorians. It was performed by men and women...
- KorybantesKorybantesThe Corybantes were the armed and crested dancers who worshipped the Phrygian goddess Cybele with drumming and dancing. They are also called the Kurbantes in Phrygia, and Corybants in an older English transcription. The Kuretes were the nine dancers who venerate Rhea, the Cretan counterpart of...
- Pyrrhichios (dance)
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- TarantellaTarantellaThe term tarantella groups a number of different southern Italian couple folk dances characterized by a fast upbeat tempo, usually in 6/8 time , accompanied by tambourines. It is among the most recognized of traditional Italian music. The specific dance name varies with every region, for instance...
Aegean IslandsAegean IslandsThe Aegean Islands are the group of islands in the Aegean Sea, with mainland Greece to the west and north and Turkey to the east; the island of Crete delimits the sea to the south, those of Rhodes, Karpathos and Kasos to the southeast...
The 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 NisiotikaNisiotika
Nisiotika is the name of the dances of Greek islands including a variety of Greek styles, played by ethnic Greeks in Greece, Cyprus, Australia, the United States and elsewhere....
for more informations.
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- BallaristosPidikhtosPidikhtos , is a Greek folk dance with Cretan origin, dancing in a circle formation. It is very widespread in Crete and the Greek islands.-References:...
- IkariotikosIkariotikosIkariotikos is a traditional dance and accompanying song originating by Ikaria a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, At first it was a very slow dance, but today Ikariotikos is a fast dance from Aegean islands . Some specialists say that the traditional Ikariotikos was slow and the quick "version" of...
(from Ikaria) - Kritikos (Rhoditiko Pidikto)PidikhtosPidikhtos , is a Greek folk dance with Cretan origin, dancing in a circle formation. It is very widespread in Crete and the Greek islands.-References:...
(RhodesRhodesRhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
) - Rhoditiki SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(RhodesRhodesRhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
) - Sperveri (Rodos)
- Boniatiki SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(RhodesRhodesRhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
) - Tourtsikos (RhodesRhodesRhodes is an island in Greece, located in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is the largest of the Dodecanese islands in terms of both land area and population, with a population of 117,007, and also the island group's historical capital. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within...
) - TrataTrataThe Trata is a traditional commemorative dance performed every two years in Megara in Attica, Greece.On the Tuesday following Easter in every alternate year, the women of Megara take part the traditional dance known as the Trata on the open space before the tiny church known as Saint John the Dancer...
- KaravasKaravasKaravas is the sister village of Lapithos in theKyrenia District of Cyprus. The village resides in the Turkish Occupied Part of Cyprus It is built on the ruins of Lampousa one of the ten ancient Greek city-kingdoms of Cyprus...
- Plataniotiko Nero
- Samiotiki SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(SamosSamošSamoš is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Kovačica municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 1,247 people .-See also:...
) - Strose Vayia (SamosSamošSamoš is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Kovačica municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 1,247 people .-See also:...
) - Plataniotiko Nero (SamosSamošSamoš is a village in Serbia. It is situated in the Kovačica municipality, in the South Banat District, Vojvodina province. The village has a Serb ethnic majority and its population numbering 1,247 people .-See also:...
) - Symiaki SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(SymiSymiSymi also transliterated Syme or Simi is a Greek island and municipality. It is mountainous and includes the harbor town of Symi and its adjacent upper town Ano Symi, as well as several smaller localities, beaches, and areas of significance in history and mythology...
) - BallosBallosThe Ballos Sirtos , is one of the best known Greek folk island dances in Greece...
(Naxos), (KythnosKythnosKythnos is a Greek island and municipality in the Western Cyclades between Kea and Serifos. It is from the harbor of Piraeus. Kythnos is in area and has a coastline of about . It has more than 70 beaches, many of which are still inaccessible by road...
) - Kamara Skiathou (SkiathosSkiathosSkiathos is a small Greek island in the northwest Aegean Sea. Skiathos is the westernmost island in the Northern Sporades group, east of the Pelion peninsula in Magnesia on the mainland, and west of the island of Skopelos.-Geography:...
) - Kechagiadikos (LemnosLemnosLemnos is an island of Greece in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina...
) - Patma (LemnosLemnosLemnos is an island of Greece in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina...
) - Tsopanikos (LemnosLemnosLemnos is an island of Greece in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina...
) - Simetherkatos (LemnosLemnosLemnos is an island of Greece in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina...
) - PanagiaPanagiaPanagia , also transliterated Panayia or Panaghia, is one of the titles of Mary, the mother of Jesus, used especially in Orthodox Christianity....
(LemnosLemnosLemnos is an island of Greece in the northern part of the Aegean Sea. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Lemnos peripheral unit, which is part of the North Aegean Periphery. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Myrina...
) - Ola Ta Poulakia (ThasosThasosThasos or Thassos is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea, close to the coast of Thrace and the plain of the river Nestos but geographically part of Macedonia. It is the northernmost Greek island, and 12th largest by area...
) - Ahi Vahi (ThasosThasosThasos or Thassos is a Greek island in the northern Aegean Sea, close to the coast of Thrace and the plain of the river Nestos but geographically part of Macedonia. It is the northernmost Greek island, and 12th largest by area...
) - Kamara (SkiathosSkiathosSkiathos is a small Greek island in the northwest Aegean Sea. Skiathos is the westernmost island in the Northern Sporades group, east of the Pelion peninsula in Magnesia on the mainland, and west of the island of Skopelos.-Geography:...
) - Vlacha (Naxos)
- Michanikos (KalymnosKalymnosKalymnos, is a Greek island and municipality in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It belongs to the Dodecanese and is located to the west of the peninsula of Bodrum , between the islands of Kos and Leros : the latter is linked to it through a series of islets...
) - Isios (KalymnosKalymnosKalymnos, is a Greek island and municipality in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It belongs to the Dodecanese and is located to the west of the peninsula of Bodrum , between the islands of Kos and Leros : the latter is linked to it through a series of islets...
) - SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(KalymnosKalymnosKalymnos, is a Greek island and municipality in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It belongs to the Dodecanese and is located to the west of the peninsula of Bodrum , between the islands of Kos and Leros : the latter is linked to it through a series of islets...
) - Thimariotikos (KalymnosKalymnosKalymnos, is a Greek island and municipality in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It belongs to the Dodecanese and is located to the west of the peninsula of Bodrum , between the islands of Kos and Leros : the latter is linked to it through a series of islets...
) - Dirlanda (KalymnosKalymnosKalymnos, is a Greek island and municipality in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It belongs to the Dodecanese and is located to the west of the peninsula of Bodrum , between the islands of Kos and Leros : the latter is linked to it through a series of islets...
) - Syrtos Assos (AgathonisiAgathonisiAgathonísi is a small Greek island and municipality located at the northernmost point of the Dodecanese in Greece.It is surrounded by many smaller islands and is home to two villages, both inland; Megálo Chorió , and Mikró Chorió . The island's only port is the settlement of Agios Georgios ,...
) - Kato Choros (KarpathosKarpathosKarpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
) - ZervosZervosZervos is the name of a folk dance in Karpathos and Eastern Rumelia which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , lute, and mandolin .-See also:...
(KarpathosKarpathosKarpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
) - AntipatitisAntipatitisAntipatitis is a form of a Greek folk dance from Greek island Karpathos, Greece.-References:...
(KarpathosKarpathosKarpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
) - Pano Choros (KarpathosKarpathosKarpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
) - Sianos (KarpathosKarpathosKarpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
) - Arkistis (KarpathosKarpathosKarpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
) - Kefalonitika (KarpathosKarpathosKarpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
) - Sousta KarpathouSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(KarpathosKarpathosKarpathos is the second largest of the Greek Dodecanese islands, in the southeastern Aegean Sea. Together with the neighboring smaller Saria Island it forms the municipality Karpathos, which is part of the Karpathos peripheral unit. From its remote position Karpathos has preserved many...
) - Sousta KoakiSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(KosKosKos or Cos is a Greek island in the south Sporades group of the Dodecanese, next to the Gulf of Gökova/Cos. It measures by , and is from the coast of Bodrum, Turkey and the ancient region of Caria. Administratively the island forms a separate municipality within the Kos peripheral unit, which is...
) - SirtakiSirtakiSirtaki or syrtaki is a popular dance of Greek origin, choreographed, by Giorgos Provias for the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. It is not a traditional Greek folkdance, but a mixture of the slow and fast versions of the hasapiko dance...
- Pirgousikos (ChiosChiosChios is the fifth largest of the Greek islands, situated in the Aegean Sea, seven kilometres off the Asia Minor coast. The island is separated from Turkey by the Chios Strait. The island is noted for its strong merchant shipping community, its unique mastic gum and its medieval villages...
) - Ta Xila (MytileneMytileneMytilene is a town and a former municipality on the island of Lesbos, North Aegean, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lesbos, of which it is a municipal unit. It is the capital of the island of Lesbos. Mytilene, whose name is pre-Greek, is built on the...
) - Antikristos (MytileneMytileneMytilene is a town and a former municipality on the island of Lesbos, North Aegean, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lesbos, of which it is a municipal unit. It is the capital of the island of Lesbos. Mytilene, whose name is pre-Greek, is built on the...
) - Zeibekikos (MytileneMytileneMytilene is a town and a former municipality on the island of Lesbos, North Aegean, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Lesbos, of which it is a municipal unit. It is the capital of the island of Lesbos. Mytilene, whose name is pre-Greek, is built on the...
) - Thermiotikos Karsilamas (KythnosKythnosKythnos is a Greek island and municipality in the Western Cyclades between Kea and Serifos. It is from the harbor of Piraeus. Kythnos is in area and has a coastline of about . It has more than 70 beaches, many of which are still inaccessible by road...
) - Sousta TilouSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(TilosTilosTílos is a small Greek island and municipality located in the Aegean Sea. It is part of the Dodecanese group of islands, and lies midway between Kos and Rhodes. It has a population of 533 inhabitants . Along with the uninhabited offshore islets of Antitilos and Gaidaros, it forms the Municipality...
) - Irini (TilosTilosTílos is a small Greek island and municipality located in the Aegean Sea. It is part of the Dodecanese group of islands, and lies midway between Kos and Rhodes. It has a population of 533 inhabitants . Along with the uninhabited offshore islets of Antitilos and Gaidaros, it forms the Municipality...
) - Kamares (TilosTilosTílos is a small Greek island and municipality located in the Aegean Sea. It is part of the Dodecanese group of islands, and lies midway between Kos and Rhodes. It has a population of 533 inhabitants . Along with the uninhabited offshore islets of Antitilos and Gaidaros, it forms the Municipality...
) - LerikosLerikosLerikos is a traditional Greek circle dance. Participants hold hands at the shoulder level and dance in a counterclockwise direction.-See also:*Greek music*Greek dances*Sousta*Greek folk music*Pentozali*Syrtos*List of folk dances sorted by origin...
(LerosLerosLeros is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese in the southern Aegean Sea. It lies 317 km from Athens's port of Piraeus, from which it can be reached by an 11-hour ferry ride . Leros is part of the Kalymnos peripheral unit...
) - Leriki SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
(LerosLerosLeros is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese in the southern Aegean Sea. It lies 317 km from Athens's port of Piraeus, from which it can be reached by an 11-hour ferry ride . Leros is part of the Kalymnos peripheral unit... - Chaniotika (LerosLerosLeros is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese in the southern Aegean Sea. It lies 317 km from Athens's port of Piraeus, from which it can be reached by an 11-hour ferry ride . Leros is part of the Kalymnos peripheral unit...
) - KariotikaIkariotikosIkariotikos is a traditional dance and accompanying song originating by Ikaria a Greek island in the Aegean Sea, At first it was a very slow dance, but today Ikariotikos is a fast dance from Aegean islands . Some specialists say that the traditional Ikariotikos was slow and the quick "version" of...
(LerosLerosLeros is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese in the southern Aegean Sea. It lies 317 km from Athens's port of Piraeus, from which it can be reached by an 11-hour ferry ride . Leros is part of the Kalymnos peripheral unit...
) - Rhoditikos (LerosLerosLeros is a Greek island and municipality in the Dodecanese in the southern Aegean Sea. It lies 317 km from Athens's port of Piraeus, from which it can be reached by an 11-hour ferry ride . Leros is part of the Kalymnos peripheral unit...
) - Rodo (dance)
CreteCreteCrete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea, and one of the thirteen administrative regions of Greece. It forms a significant part of the economy and cultural heritage of Greece while retaining its own local cultural traits...
These dances are light and jumpy, and extremely cardiovascular.- Rethemniotiki SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
- Pentozali
- Pyrrhichios (dance)
- Syrtos ChaniotikosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Siganos
- RodoRodoAuguste de Niederhäusern, better known as Rodo was a sculptor and medalist active in Switzerland and France.Rodo was born in Vevey, and in 1866 moved with his family to Geneva...
- SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
- Trizali
- Apanomeritis
- Anogianos Pidichtos
- AngaliastosAngaliastosAngaliastos ,is a kind of Greek folk dance from Crete, Greece. It is very widespread in Crete and Greek islands ,too. It is called angaliastos which means "hugged", because it gives the opportunity for young people of island, to embrace the partner girls, with which they used to dance.-References:*...
- Maleviziotiko
- Mikro Mikraki
- Katsibardianos
- Laziotis
- Ethianos Pidichtos
- ZervodexiosZervodexiosZervodexios is a form of a Greek folk dance from Macedonia and Thrace, Greece....
- Pidichtos LasithouPidikhtosPidikhtos , is a Greek folk dance with Cretan origin, dancing in a circle formation. It is very widespread in Crete and the Greek islands.-References:...
- Xenobasaris
- KatsabadianosKatsabadianosKatsabadianos ,is a folk dance with Cretan origin. It is very widespread in Heraklion and Chania.-References:*...
- Priniotis
- Sitiakos PidichtosPidikhtosPidikhtos , is a Greek folk dance with Cretan origin, dancing in a circle formation. It is very widespread in Crete and the Greek islands.-References:...
- Ierapetrikos PidichtosPidikhtosPidikhtos , is a Greek folk dance with Cretan origin, dancing in a circle formation. It is very widespread in Crete and the Greek islands.-References:...
Central GreeceCentral GreeceContinental Greece or Central Greece , colloquially known as Roúmeli , is a geographical region of Greece. Its territory is divided into the administrative regions of Central Greece, Attica, and part of West Greece...
- DionysiakosDionysiakosDionysiakos is a form of Greek dances and customs from ancient Greece.Dionysiakos and it's forms revived today in many areas of Greece like Peloponnese, central Greece and Crete with the most well-known the Phallus festival one, in the area of Tyrnavos, Larissa...
- Antikristos
- SirtakiSirtakiSirtaki or syrtaki is a popular dance of Greek origin, choreographed, by Giorgos Provias for the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. It is not a traditional Greek folkdance, but a mixture of the slow and fast versions of the hasapiko dance...
- KalamatianosKalamatianosThe Kalamatianós Dance is one of the best known dances of Greece. It is popular Greek folkdance throughout Greece, Cyprus and internationally and is often performed at many social gatherings worldwide. As is the case with most Greek folk dances, it is danced in circle with a counterclockwise...
- Chasapiko
- Syrtaki
- TrataTrataThe Trata is a traditional commemorative dance performed every two years in Megara in Attica, Greece.On the Tuesday following Easter in every alternate year, the women of Megara take part the traditional dance known as the Trata on the open space before the tiny church known as Saint John the Dancer...
(from MegaraMegaraMegara is an ancient city in Attica, Greece. It lies in the northern section of the Isthmus of Corinth opposite the island of Salamis, which belonged to Megara in archaic times, before being taken by Athens. Megara was one of the four districts of Attica, embodied in the four mythic sons of King...
) - LoulouvikosLoulouvikosLoulovikos is a male dance from Megara Attikis, Greece. It is danced to a song with the same name. The song lyrics refer to Loulouvikos which took away the young men from the village. The song pleads with Loulouvikos to bring the young men back...
(from MegaraMegaraMegara is an ancient city in Attica, Greece. It lies in the northern section of the Isthmus of Corinth opposite the island of Salamis, which belonged to Megara in archaic times, before being taken by Athens. Megara was one of the four districts of Attica, embodied in the four mythic sons of King...
) - ZeibekikoZeibekikoZeibekiko is a Greek folk dance with a rhythmic pattern of 9/4 or else 9/8 . The name of the dance derives from the Zeibek warriors of Anatolia. It is danced by one person only and is of free choreographic structure, which is often refers to ancient Greek tragedy...
- HatzichristosHatzichristosHatzichristos is a type of a Greek folk dance from Central Greece....
(from MegaraMegaraMegara is an ancient city in Attica, Greece. It lies in the northern section of the Isthmus of Corinth opposite the island of Salamis, which belonged to Megara in archaic times, before being taken by Athens. Megara was one of the four districts of Attica, embodied in the four mythic sons of King...
) - Tsamikos
- Kamilierikos
- KleistosKleistosKleistos horos is a circle dance from Thessaly. The dance is performed in a circle with the men leading and the women following in the circle. It is usually exhibited to songs like "'Ai San Alogo de me Varanane!" The dance has two parts to it, slow and fast. The handhold for the first part is...
- HasaposervikoHasapikoThe Hasapiko , is a Greek folk dance from Constantinople. The dance originated in the Middle Ages as a battle mime with swords performed by the Greek butchers guild, which adopted it from the military of Byzantine era. In Constantinople during the Byzantine times, it was called in Greek...
- Lambri KamaraLambri KamaraLambri Kamara is a form of a Greek folk dance from Megara, Attika, Greece....
(MegaraMegaraMegara is an ancient city in Attica, Greece. It lies in the northern section of the Isthmus of Corinth opposite the island of Salamis, which belonged to Megara in archaic times, before being taken by Athens. Megara was one of the four districts of Attica, embodied in the four mythic sons of King...
) - Tis Triandafilias Ta FilaTis Triandafilias Ta FilaTis Triandafilias Ta Fila is a form of a Greek folk dance from Megara, Attika, Greece.-References:...
(MegaraMegaraMegara is an ancient city in Attica, Greece. It lies in the northern section of the Isthmus of Corinth opposite the island of Salamis, which belonged to Megara in archaic times, before being taken by Athens. Megara was one of the four districts of Attica, embodied in the four mythic sons of King...
)
EpirusEpirus (periphery)Epirus , formally the Epirus Region , is a geographical and administrative region in northwestern Greece. It borders the regions of West Macedonia and Thessaly to the east, West Greece to the south, the Ionian Sea and the Ionian Islands to the west and the country of Albania to the north. The...
Epirote dances are the most slow and heavy in all of Greece. Great balance is required in order to perform these dances.- Tis távlas (drinking songs)
- Zagorisios
- Sta Dio
- Sta Tria
- Fisounis
- MetsovitikosMetsovitikosMetsovitikos is a kind of a local folk dance from Metsovo, Greece.-References:...
- Papadia
- Genovefa
- Kapitan LoukaKapitan LoukaKapetan Louka or Kapitan Louka , is a dance from the region of Macedonia in Greece. It is a dance specifically from the area of Kozani. The dance is named after a freedom fighter in Macedonia. Only the tune has survived....
- Pogonisios
- Iatros
- KoftosKoftosKoftos is a lively Greek dance typical of the areas of Thessaly, Epirus and central Greece. "Koftos" in Greek means to cut and the name of the dance comes from the periodic interruptions in the music/tune. When the music stops, the dancers yell "Hey", and you can also put your arms up, down, or...
PeloponnesePeloponneseThe Peloponnese, Peloponnesos or Peloponnesus , is a large peninsula , located in a region of southern Greece, forming the part of the country south of the Gulf of Corinth...
The dances of the Peloponnese are very simple and heavy, with the leader of the line improvising.- KalamatianosKalamatianosThe Kalamatianós Dance is one of the best known dances of Greece. It is popular Greek folkdance throughout Greece, Cyprus and internationally and is often performed at many social gatherings worldwide. As is the case with most Greek folk dances, it is danced in circle with a counterclockwise...
- KalamatianóKalamatianóKalamatianó is a type of Greek folk music associated with a dance sharing its name. Originating in the southern Greek port city of Kalamata, its most recognizable feature is its asymmetrical time signature of 7/8 time, meaning that there are seven beats per measure, generally subdivided into two...
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Tsamikos
- TsakonikosTsakonikosThe Tsakonikos or Tsakonikos khoros is a dance performed in the Peloponnese in Greece. It comes from the region, chiefly in Arcadia, known as Tsakonia. It is danced in many towns villages there with little variation to the steps....
- Ai GeorgisAi GeorgisAi Georgis is a dance from the village of Nestani in Arkadia, a region of Greece in the Peloponnesus which takes its name from the mythological character Arcas. The dance is performed and danced on the feast day of St George usually after Easter Sunday.-Dance:...
- Diplos HorosDiplos HorosThe Diplos Horos is dance from Messenia in the Peloponnese, Greece. It is a dance where the dancers form a single circle formation into a double via the hand hold. The dance is a simple sta tria in formation but is accompanied by the song: Διπλό Χορό Χορεύουμε, Διπλά Τραγούδια Λέμε.-See...
- MonodiplosMonodiplosMonodiplos is a traditional dance from the area of Messenia in the Peloponnese. The dance is typically a Kalamatiano dance with two variations. There is a single step and a double step back variation that occurs in the dance. The song typically used in this dance is "Stin Apano Geitonia"....
- PanagiotisPanagiotisPanagiotis , pronounced Panayiodis or Banayiodis is sometimes phonetically transliterated as Panayiotis or latinized as Panagiotes, it is a common male Greek name deriving from the epithet Panagia , which is one of the titles of Mary, the mother of Jesus in Orthodox Christianity...
- HorosHorosHoros, khoros, choros means "dance" in Greek language. This word occurs in the names of numerous Greek dances, which may be literally translated as "dance of..." or "dance from..."...
Ionian IslandsIonian IslandsThe Ionian Islands are a group of islands in Greece. They are traditionally called the Heptanese, i.e...
- Ai GeorgisAi GeorgisAi Georgis is a dance from the village of Nestani in Arkadia, a region of Greece in the Peloponnesus which takes its name from the mythological character Arcas. The dance is performed and danced on the feast day of St George usually after Easter Sunday.-Dance:...
(CorfuCorfuCorfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
) - BallosBallosThe Ballos Sirtos , is one of the best known Greek folk island dances in Greece...
(LefkadaLefkadaLefkada, or Leucas or Leucadia , is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Greece, connected to the mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Lefkada . It is situated on the northern part of the island,...
) - Rouga (CorfuCorfuCorfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
) - Fourlana (CorfuCorfuCorfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
) - SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
(Cefalonia) - Levantitikos (ZakynthosZakynthosZakynthos , also Zante, the other form often used in English and in Italian , is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the third largest of the Ionian Islands. It is also a separate regional unit of the Ionian Islands region, and the only municipality of the regional unit. It covers an area of ...
) - Diavaratikos (Cefalonia)
- Mermigas (Cefalonia)
- Bourdaris (KythiraKythiraCythera is an island in Greece, once part of the Ionian Islands. It lies opposite the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is administratively part of the Islands regional unit, which is part of the Attica region , Greece.For many centuries, while naval travel was the only means...
) - Mesaritikos (KythiraKythiraCythera is an island in Greece, once part of the Ionian Islands. It lies opposite the south-eastern tip of the Peloponnese peninsula. It is administratively part of the Islands regional unit, which is part of the Attica region , Greece.For many centuries, while naval travel was the only means...
) - Thiakos (LefkadaLefkadaLefkada, or Leucas or Leucadia , is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea on the west coast of Greece, connected to the mainland by a long causeway and floating bridge. The principal town of the island and seat of the municipality is Lefkada . It is situated on the northern part of the island,...
)
MacedoniaMacedonia (Greece)Macedonia is a geographical and historical region of Greece in Southern Europe. Macedonia is the largest and second most populous Greek region...
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.Western Macedonia
West Macedonia
West Macedonia is one of the thirteen regions of Greece, consisting of the western part of Greek Macedonia. It is divided into the regional units of Florina, Grevena, Kastoria, and Kozani.-Geography:...
- Gaida Dance
- LeventikosLeventikosLeventikos , also known as Litós , Kucano, Nešo, and Bufskoto Oro, is a dance of western Macedonia, mainly performed by ethnic Macedonians and Greeks in the town of Florina, Greece and in the Resen and Bitola regions in the neighbouring Republic of Macedonia.The meter varies: one is 12 = 3+2+2+3+2...
(FlorinaFlorinaFlorina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
) - Bougatsas (FlorinaFlorinaFlorina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
) - Antikristos
- Kori Eleni/Mikri Eleni
- Kapitan LoukaKapitan LoukaKapetan Louka or Kapitan Louka , is a dance from the region of Macedonia in Greece. It is a dance specifically from the area of Kozani. The dance is named after a freedom fighter in Macedonia. Only the tune has survived....
- PartalosPartalosPartalos ,is a Greek dance from Macedonia, Greece. It is a danced exclusively by men and it is very widespread in the area of Pylaia, Thessaloniki.-References:*...
- KastorianosKastorianosKastorianos ,is a kind of a Greek folk dance from Macedonia, Greece. It is very widespread in the cities of Kastoria and Kozani.-References:*...
- hasapikoHasapikoThe Hasapiko , is a Greek folk dance from Constantinople. The dance originated in the Middle Ages as a battle mime with swords performed by the Greek butchers guild, which adopted it from the military of Byzantine era. In Constantinople during the Byzantine times, it was called in Greek...
- ZeibekikoZeibekikoZeibekiko is a Greek folk dance with a rhythmic pattern of 9/4 or else 9/8 . The name of the dance derives from the Zeibek warriors of Anatolia. It is danced by one person only and is of free choreographic structure, which is often refers to ancient Greek tragedy...
- Akritikos (FlorinaFlorinaFlorina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
) - Simbethera (FlorinaFlorinaFlorina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
) - PoustsenoPoustsenoPoustseno is a traditional Greek dance from Macedonia, Greece. It is danced in the area of Florina and also goes by the name of "Lytos" .-References:*...
- Raikos (EdessaEdessa, GreeceEdessa , is a city in northern Greece and the capital of the Pella regional unit, in the Central Macedonia region of Greece. It was also the capital of the defunct province of the same name.-Name:...
) - GerontikosGerontikosGerontikos ,is a Greek dance from Macedonia, Greece. It is very widespread in Florina. It is often danced, by old local men.-References:*...
- Gerakina
- Tranos ChorosTranos Choros-References:...
(KozaniKozaniKozani is a city in northern Greece, capital of Kozani regional unit and of West Macedonia region. It is located in the western part of Macedonia, in the northern part of the Aliakmonas river valley...
) - Zaramo (dance)
- Endeka KozanisEndeka KozanisEndeka Kozanis is a traditional Greek dance, mostly danced at the region of Kozani. According to one point of view, it is a dance that was being danced at the weddings...
- Servikos
- Tsourapia (FlorinaFlorinaFlorina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
) - O NikolosO NikolosO Nikolos ,is a kind of a Greek folk dance from the area of Siatista, Greece.-References:*...
- Omorfoula (FlorinaFlorinaFlorina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
) - Makrinitsa danceMakrinitsa danceMakrinitsa dance ,is Greek traditional dance from Naousa, Greece. It is a female dance and is connected with the Greek war of independence.-References:*...
- Dimitroula
- Nizamikos (NaousaNaousa, ImathiaNaousa or Naoussa is a city in the Imathia peripheral unit of Macedonia, Greece. Population 34,441.It is famous for its parks and for its ski resorts...
) - KastorianosKastorianosKastorianos ,is a kind of a Greek folk dance from Macedonia, Greece. It is very widespread in the cities of Kastoria and Kozani.-References:*...
- Moustambeiko (NaousaNaousa, ImathiaNaousa or Naoussa is a city in the Imathia peripheral unit of Macedonia, Greece. Population 34,441.It is famous for its parks and for its ski resorts...
) - Nizamikos
- Diplos Choros Tis Rokas
- Stankina (EdessaEdessa, GreeceEdessa , is a city in northern Greece and the capital of the Pella regional unit, in the Central Macedonia region of Greece. It was also the capital of the defunct province of the same name.-Name:...
) - Trita Pata (NaousaNaousa, ImathiaNaousa or Naoussa is a city in the Imathia peripheral unit of Macedonia, Greece. Population 34,441.It is famous for its parks and for its ski resorts...
) - Tis Marias
- Tis Dimitroulas
- ProskinitosProskinitosProskinitos is a form of a Greek folk dance from Macedonia, Greece.-References:...
- Syre SyreSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
(EdessaEdessa, GreeceEdessa , is a city in northern Greece and the capital of the Pella regional unit, in the Central Macedonia region of Greece. It was also the capital of the defunct province of the same name.-Name:...
) - Tsotsos (FlorinaFlorinaFlorina is a town and municipality in mountainous northwestern Macedonia, Greece. Its motto is, 'Where Greece begins'. It is also the Metropolitan seat for the region. It lies in the central part of Florina peripheral unit, of which it is the capital. Florina belongs to the periphery of West...
) - Syrtos MakedoniasSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
Eastern Macedonia
East Macedonia and Thrace
East Macedonia and Thrace is one of the thirteen regions of Greece. It consists of the northeastern parts of the country, comprising the eastern part of the region of Macedonia along with the region of Thrace, and the islands of Thasos and Samothrace....
- Drousas
- Kampana
- Antikristos
- Kori Eleni
- Tefkotos
- Irthan Ta Karavia Ta Zagoriana
ThessalyThessalyThessaly is a traditional geographical region and an administrative region of Greece, comprising most of the ancient region of the same name. Before the Greek Dark Ages, Thessaly was known as Aeolia, and appears thus in Homer's Odyssey....
Dances in Thessaly are similar in style to the dances of Epirus. Mostly heavy, and some are fast. The leader, however, improvises, just like those in the Peloponnese.- DionysiakosDionysiakosDionysiakos is a form of Greek dances and customs from ancient Greece.Dionysiakos and it's forms revived today in many areas of Greece like Peloponnese, central Greece and Crete with the most well-known the Phallus festival one, in the area of Tyrnavos, Larissa...
- Phallus dance
- GaitanakiGaitanakiGaitanaki is a form of a Greek folk dance from Thessaly, Greece. It is a circle dance. It is also very widespread in Epirus....
- KalamatianoKalamatianóKalamatianó is a type of Greek folk music associated with a dance sharing its name. Originating in the southern Greek port city of Kalamata, its most recognizable feature is its asymmetrical time signature of 7/8 time, meaning that there are seven beats per measure, generally subdivided into two...
- KalamatianosKalamatianosThe Kalamatianós Dance is one of the best known dances of Greece. It is popular Greek folkdance throughout Greece, Cyprus and internationally and is often performed at many social gatherings worldwide. As is the case with most Greek folk dances, it is danced in circle with a counterclockwise...
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Kangeli
- Karagouna Svarniara
- Kleistos ArgitheasKleistosKleistos horos is a circle dance from Thessaly. The dance is performed in a circle with the men leading and the women following in the circle. It is usually exhibited to songs like "'Ai San Alogo de me Varanane!" The dance has two parts to it, slow and fast. The handhold for the first part is...
- KleistosKleistosKleistos horos is a circle dance from Thessaly. The dance is performed in a circle with the men leading and the women following in the circle. It is usually exhibited to songs like "'Ai San Alogo de me Varanane!" The dance has two parts to it, slow and fast. The handhold for the first part is...
- KoftosKoftosKoftos is a lively Greek dance typical of the areas of Thessaly, Epirus and central Greece. "Koftos" in Greek means to cut and the name of the dance comes from the periodic interruptions in the music/tune. When the music stops, the dancers yell "Hey", and you can also put your arms up, down, or...
- PilioritikosPilioritikosPilioritikos is a kind of a Greek folk dance from Pilio, , Greece....
- TsamikoTsamikoThe Tsamiko is a popular traditional dance of Greece. The name literally means dance of the Chams. It is also known as Kleftikos , literally meaning dance of the Klephts .-The dance:...
- Tai TaiTai taiTai tai is a Chinese colloquial term for a wealthy married woman who does not work. It is the same as the Cantonese title for a married woman.-Cultural significance:...
- Zacharoula
- RougatsiarikosRougatsiarikosRougatsiarikos is a kind of a Greek traditional dance from Thessaly, Greece.-References:...
- Souzana
- Kamara
- Perasa Apo Tin Karia
- Simera Ta Fota
- SirtakiSirtakiSirtaki or syrtaki is a popular dance of Greek origin, choreographed, by Giorgos Provias for the 1964 film Zorba the Greek. It is not a traditional Greek folkdance, but a mixture of the slow and fast versions of the hasapiko dance...
- Girogalakis
- LafinaLafinaLafina is a form of a Greek folk dance from Thessaly, Greece. It is very similar with syrtos.-References:...
- Galanogalani
- Tsamikos Deskatis
ThraceThraceThrace is a historical and geographic area in southeast Europe. As a geographical concept, Thrace designates a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the north, Rhodope Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the south, and by the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara on the east...
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 Hronis Aithonidis and Kariofilis Doitsidis have brought to life the music of Thrace.- Tapeinos HorosTapeinos HorosThe Tapeinos Horos is a traditional Greek dance.The word tapeinos in Greek means "humble", so in many villages in Thrace, this dance is done with slow, humble steps...
- Tapinos PaschaliatikosTapeinos HorosThe Tapeinos Horos is a traditional Greek dance.The word tapeinos in Greek means "humble", so in many villages in Thrace, this dance is done with slow, humble steps...
- Chasapia
- GaitaniGaitaniGaitani is a village in the southern part of the island of Zakynthos. It is part of the municipal unit of Zakynthos. Its 2001 population was 1,401.-Population:-Panorama:...
- ZonaradikoZonaradikoZonaradiko is a traditional folk dance from Thrace that is named after the dance's handhold. Dancers hold the adjacent dancer's zonaria during the dance. Zonaradiko is a dance done in one form or another...
- Baidouska
- Antikristos
- Singathistos
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Yikna
- Koulouriastos
- Papisios
- Drista
- Mandilatos
- Tripati
- Dendritsi
- Daktili
- ZeibekikoZeibekikoZeibekiko is a Greek folk dance with a rhythmic pattern of 9/4 or else 9/8 . The name of the dance derives from the Zeibek warriors of Anatolia. It is danced by one person only and is of free choreographic structure, which is often refers to ancient Greek tragedy...
Northern ThraceNorthern ThraceNorth Thrace or Northern Thrace constitutes the northern and the largest part of the historical region of Thrace...
/ Eastern Thrace
The Dances of (Northern Thrace) are fast, upbeat and similar to the Thracian style of dance. Dances from the town of KavakliTopolovgrad
Topolovgrad is a town in south-central Bulgaria, part of Haskovo Province, situated at the northern foot of the Sakar Mountain. It is the administrative centre of the homonymous Topolovgrad Municipality...
and Neo Monastiri are the most popular.
- TamzaraTamzaraTamzara, Tamsara, Tənzərə or Tanzara is an Armenian, Assyrian, Azerbaijani and Greek folk dance native to Anatolia. This dance was especially popular in the regions of Erzincan, Erzurum, Kiğı, Arabkir, Elazığ, and Malatya. There are many versions of Tamzara, with slightly different music and steps,...
- TsestosTsestosTsestos , is a challenging dance from Northern Greece Tsestos , is a challenging dance from Northern Greece Tsestos , is a challenging dance from Northern Greece (the region named Thrace or in Greek language Thraki. The dance starts with a moderate rhythm and is danced by both men and women with...
- Bogdanos
- Stis Treis
- Troiro
- Tremouliastos
- KoutsosKoutsosKoutsos ,is a folk dance from Didymoteicho, Greece. It is very widespread in Macedonia and Thrace.-References:*...
- PodarakiPodarakiPodaraki is a Greek dance from the region of Pontos, now in modern day Turkey. This dance is called Podaraki because it involves much stomping with your Podia . It is done by both men and women in a straight line, unlike most traditional Greek dances done in a circle....
- KinigitosKinigitosKinigitos is a form of a Greek folk dance from Thrace, Greece....
- Giariska
- TsestosTsestosTsestos , is a challenging dance from Northern Greece Tsestos , is a challenging dance from Northern Greece Tsestos , is a challenging dance from Northern Greece (the region named Thrace or in Greek language Thraki. The dance starts with a moderate rhythm and is danced by both men and women with...
- Miliso
- Antikristos
- Syrtos BanasSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Zervos BanasZervosZervos is the name of a folk dance in Karpathos and Eastern Rumelia which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , lute, and mandolin .-See also:...
- ZonaradikoZonaradikoZonaradiko is a traditional folk dance from Thrace that is named after the dance's handhold. Dancers hold the adjacent dancer's zonaria during the dance. Zonaradiko is a dance done in one form or another...
- Douzikos
- Singathistos
- Katsivelikos
- Kallinitikos
- Sfarlis
- ZervodexiosZervodexiosZervodexios is a form of a Greek folk dance from Macedonia and Thrace, Greece....
- ZervosZervosZervos is the name of a folk dance in Karpathos and Eastern Rumelia which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , lute, and mandolin .-See also:...
PontusPontusPontus or Pontos is a historical Greek designation for a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, located in modern-day northeastern Turkey. The name was applied to the coastal region in antiquity by the Greeks who colonized the area, and derived from the Greek name of the Black Sea: Πόντος...
The dances of the Pontic GreeksPontic Greeks
The Pontians are an ethnic group traditionally living in the Pontus region, the shores of Turkey's Black Sea...
from the Black Sea, were mostly performed by Pontian 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. See Horon for more information on the history of these dances.
- AtsiapatAtsiapatAtsiapat is the first in a sequence of three tranditional dances performed in the region of Pontus, as well as by refugees of Pontos. Atsiapat is characterized by short steps and exadurated movements that resemble stretching. This dance is followed directly by Serra. The final dance in the sequence...
- KotsariKotsariKochari , is an old folk dance, danced today by Pontic Greeks, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Assyrians, Turks and Kurds.Kochari is closely related to the "Haleh" or "Yalli", a dance common to Azerbaijanis, Assyrians, and Kurds....
- Tik Mono
- Tik Imeras
- Tik Diplo
- Tik Nikopolis
- Tik Togias or Togialidikon
- Apo Pan Kai Ka Matsouka
- Siton Imeras
- T'apan Ke Ka Matsouka
- Kousera
- TromaktonTromaktonTromakton is a Greek dance that usually precedes or follows a Tik. It is a fast dance which has a distinct double bounce which becomes more vigorous as the dance goes on. It is usually played before Atsiapat or Serra , because it has similar steps and it is like an introduction for these dances....
- Kounichton Nikopolis
- Trigona Trapezountas
- Trigona Matsoukas
- Trigona Kerasountas
- Ters Ak Dag Maten
- Ters Kioumous Maten
- Tyrfon or Tryfon Bafra
- Gemoura
- Pontic SerraSerra (dance)Serra, was a Pontic Greek dance named after the region of Pontos. It is a war-like dance for men, intended to produce a fervent state prior to battle....
- Serra (dance)Serra (dance)Serra, was a Pontic Greek dance named after the region of Pontos. It is a war-like dance for men, intended to produce a fervent state prior to battle....
- Macheria
- Koutsichton OmalOmalThe Omal was one of the first dances to be developed from the region of Pontos. It is a relaxed dance and is danced for long periods of time, usually preluding the tik dance. There are many different melodies for different songs; one of the most famous songs is "Serranda Mila Kokkina"...
- OmalOmalThe Omal was one of the first dances to be developed from the region of Pontos. It is a relaxed dance and is danced for long periods of time, usually preluding the tik dance. There are many different melodies for different songs; one of the most famous songs is "Serranda Mila Kokkina"...
- Momoeria
- Letsi Kars (KarsKarsKars is a city in northeast Turkey and the capital of Kars Province. The population of the city is 73,826 as of 2010.-Etymology:As Chorzene, the town appears in Roman historiography as part of ancient Armenia...
) - Letsina kars (KarsKarsKars is a city in northeast Turkey and the capital of Kars Province. The population of the city is 73,826 as of 2010.-Etymology:As Chorzene, the town appears in Roman historiography as part of ancient Armenia...
) - PodarakiPodarakiPodaraki is a Greek dance from the region of Pontos, now in modern day Turkey. This dance is called Podaraki because it involves much stomping with your Podia . It is done by both men and women in a straight line, unlike most traditional Greek dances done in a circle....
- Pyrrhichios (dance)
- Sampson (SamsunSamsunSamsun is a city of about half a million people on the north coast of Turkey. It is the provincial capital of Samsun Province and a major Black Sea port.-Name:...
) - Etere Trapezounta
- Fona Argyroupolis
- Tripat Matsouka
- DipatDipatDipat is an ancient spiritual dance of the Trapezounta region in Pontos . This dance is also known as Omal-Trapezountas. It is a very distinctive dance: the name of the dance means "two-step," but in reality the dance has an unusual movement involving more than two steps...
- Titara Argyroupolis
- Getiere Argyroupolis
- Tamasara Trapezountas
- Aneforitissa Kizela
- Kalon Koritsi
- Seranitsa
- Patoula
- Kori Kopela
- Tamsara Nikopolis
- Lafraga
- Tria Ti Kotsari
- Miteritsa
- Militsa
Asia MinorAsia MinorAsia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
ErythraeErythrae
Erythrae or Erythrai later Litri, was one of the twelve Ionian cities of Asia Minor, situated 22 km north-east of the port of Cyssus , on a small peninsula stretching into the Bay of Erythrae, at an equal distance from the mountains Mimas and Corycus, and directly opposite the island of Chios...
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Syrtos KarabourniotikosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- KalamatianosKalamatianosThe Kalamatianós Dance is one of the best known dances of Greece. It is popular Greek folkdance throughout Greece, Cyprus and internationally and is often performed at many social gatherings worldwide. As is the case with most Greek folk dances, it is danced in circle with a counterclockwise...
- BallosBallosThe Ballos Sirtos , is one of the best known Greek folk island dances in Greece...
- SoustaSoustaSousta is the name of a folk dance in Cyprus and Crete which is danced in Greece and generally in the Balkans. The music is generally played with a lyre , laouto, and mandolin ....
- Alatsatiani
- ZonaradikoZonaradikoZonaradiko is a traditional folk dance from Thrace that is named after the dance's handhold. Dancers hold the adjacent dancer's zonaria during the dance. Zonaradiko is a dance done in one form or another...
- HasapikoHasapikoThe Hasapiko , is a Greek folk dance from Constantinople. The dance originated in the Middle Ages as a battle mime with swords performed by the Greek butchers guild, which adopted it from the military of Byzantine era. In Constantinople during the Byzantine times, it was called in Greek...
- Paschalinos
- Tapeinos
Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
- Ai Vassiliatikos
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Ntipasha
- Ataris
- Choros MandilionGreek chorusA Greek chorus is a homogenous, non-individualised group of performers in the plays of classical Greece, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action....
- Choros LeilaloumGreek chorusA Greek chorus is a homogenous, non-individualised group of performers in the plays of classical Greece, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action....
- Choros KoutalionGreek chorusA Greek chorus is a homogenous, non-individualised group of performers in the plays of classical Greece, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action....
- Choros MacherionGreek chorusA Greek chorus is a homogenous, non-individualised group of performers in the plays of classical Greece, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action....
- Kouseftos
- Sei Tata
- Konialis
CyprusCyprusCyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
Men's Dances
- Antikristos
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Zeibekikos
- Protos Karsilamas
- Defteros Karsilamas
- Tritos Karsilamas
Women's Dances
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Antikristos
- Protos Karsilamas
- Defteros Karsilamas
- Tritos Karsilamas
- Tetartos Karsilamas
AromaniansAromaniansAromanians are a Latin people native throughout the southern Balkans, especially in northern Greece, Albania, the Republic of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and as an emigrant community in Serbia and Romania . An older term is Macedo-Romanians...
- Antipera
- Sta Tria
- KalamatianosKalamatianosThe Kalamatianós Dance is one of the best known dances of Greece. It is popular Greek folkdance throughout Greece, Cyprus and internationally and is often performed at many social gatherings worldwide. As is the case with most Greek folk dances, it is danced in circle with a counterclockwise...
- SyrtosSyrtosSyrtos , is the collective name of a group of Greek folk dances. Syrtos, along with its relative kalamatianos, are the most popular dances throughout Greece and are frequently danced by the Greek diaspora worldwide. They are very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals...
- Hatzistergiou
- La Valia di Giannena
- Sta tria
- Kato Stin Aspri Petra
SarakatsaniSarakatsaniThe Sarakatsani are a group of Greek transhumant shepherds inhabiting chiefly Greece, with a smaller presence in neighbouring Bulgaria, southern Albania and the Republic of Macedonia. Historically centered around the Pindus mountains, they have been currently urbanised to a significant degree...
- Diplos Choros
- Sta Tria
- Apano Stin Triandafilia
- Despo
- Tsamikos
- Choros Katsa
See also
- Music of GreeceMusic of GreeceThe music of Greece is as diverse and celebrated as its history. Greek music separates into two parts: Greek traditional music and Byzantine music, with more eastern sounds...
- Greek folk musicGreek folk musicGreek folk music includes a variety of Greek styles played by ethnic Greeks in Greece, Cyprus, Australia, the United States and elsewhere. Apart from the common music found all-around Greece, there are distinct types of folk music, sometimes related to the history or simply the taste of the...
- Greek musical instrumentsGreek musical instrumentsGreek musical instruments, were grouped under the general term of Lyre, all developments from the original construction of a tortoise shell with two branching horns, having also a cross piece to which the strings were attached.The strings varied in number from an original three to ten or even more...
- Byzantine musicByzantine musicByzantine music is the music of the Byzantine Empire composed to Greek texts as ceremonial, festival, or church music. Greek and foreign historians agree that the ecclesiastical tones and in general the whole system of Byzantine music is closely related to the ancient Greek system...