Kalamatianos
Encyclopedia
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 rotation, the dancers holding hands. It is a joyous and festive dance; its musical beat is 7/8, subdivided into two sets of 3 and 4 beats. The steps are 12: 10 steps counterclockwise ("forward") followed by 2 steps clockwise ("backwards"). Depending on the occasion and the dancers' proficiency, certain steps may be taken as jumps or squats. The lead dancer usually holds the second dancer by a handkerchief
, this allowing him or her to perform more elaborate steps and acrobatics. The steps of the Kalamatianós are the same as those of the Syrtos
, but the latter is slower and more stately, its beat being an even 4/4.
. Homer
, in the Iliad
, describes three performances made around the spear of Achilles
that depict a dance in an open circle. The ancient Sparta
ns had a dance called ormos, which was a syrto style dance described in detail by Xenophon
where a woman led a male into dance using a handkerchief. Lucian
states that the ormos dance was performed in an open circle and was done by young men and women. The men would dance vigorously while the women danced with modest movements. In the 19th century, this dance was called Syrtos O Peloponisios. It is believed to have acquired the name kalamatianos from the town of Kalamata
in southern Greece; most Greek dances are commonly named after the villages or areas from which they are considered to have originated. Kalamatiano songs are many and popular - some of the more traditional kalamatiano songs are Samiotissa (The girl from Samos
), Mandili Kalamatiano (Kerchief from Kalamata
), Milo Mou Kokkino (My Red Apple), To Papaki (The Duckling), Mou Pariggile To Aidoni (The Nightingale sent me a message), Ola Ta Poulakia (All Birds), etc. An especially haunting example of the kalamatianos, Mekapses Yitonissa (Μέκαψες Γειτόνισσα), was recorded for the National Geographic Society
's groundbreaking Music of Greece album, released in 1968.
, well known for his exploration of asymmetrical rhythms in his own music, used a variant of the rhythm of the kalamatianos for his Unsquare Dance
, though the measures are divided into two groups of 4 followed by 3 beats rather than 3 followed by 4. The 1960s popular singer, formerly known as Cat Stevens
, wrote and performed a song, Ruby Love, in 7/8 time with a distinctive Greek flavour. Stevens, who would later convert to Islam, has paternal Greek Cypriot roots. Near the end of the 2002 film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
, the cast dances the kalamatianos to the song, Orea Pou Ine I Nifi Mas (Ωραία που είναι η νύφη μας) at Ian and Toulla's wedding reception.
Γιατί με μάρανες το πικραμένο
Παένω κ’ έρχομαι μα δεν βρίσκω (x2)
Βρίσκω την πόρτα σου μανταλομένη
Τα παραθυρούδια σου φεγγοβολούνε (x2)
Ρωτάω την πόρτα σου, που πάει η κυρά σου
Κυρά μ’ δεν είναι ‘δώ, πάησε στην βρύση (x2)
Πάησε να βρει νερό και να γεμίσει
why have you made me wilted and bitter?
I come and go, but cannot find you
I try your door, and it's always locked.
Your windows are always lighted
I ask your door, "Where is your lady?"
"My lady is not here, she is at the wellspring
She's gone to bring water".
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. It is popular Greek folkdance throughout Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , 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...
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 rotation, the dancers holding hands. It is a joyous and festive dance; its musical beat is 7/8, subdivided into two sets of 3 and 4 beats. The steps are 12: 10 steps counterclockwise ("forward") followed by 2 steps clockwise ("backwards"). Depending on the occasion and the dancers' proficiency, certain steps may be taken as jumps or squats. The lead dancer usually holds the second dancer by a handkerchief
Handkerchief
A handkerchief , also called a handkercher or hanky, is a form of a kerchief, typically a hemmed square of thin fabric that can be carried in the pocket or purse, and which is intended for personal hygiene purposes such as wiping one's hands or face, or blowing one's nose...
, this allowing him or her to perform more elaborate steps and acrobatics. The steps of the Kalamatianós are the same as those of the 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...
, but the latter is slower and more stately, its beat being an even 4/4.
History
The roots of kalamatianos can be found in antiquityClassical antiquity
Classical antiquity is a broad term for a long period of cultural history centered on the Mediterranean Sea, comprising the interlocking civilizations of ancient Greece and ancient Rome, collectively known as the Greco-Roman world...
. Homer
Homer
In the Western classical tradition Homer , is the author of the Iliad and the Odyssey, and is revered as the greatest ancient Greek epic poet. These epics lie at the beginning of the Western canon of literature, and have had an enormous influence on the history of literature.When he lived is...
, in the Iliad
Iliad
The Iliad is an epic poem in dactylic hexameters, traditionally attributed to Homer. Set during the Trojan War, the ten-year siege of the city of Troy by a coalition of Greek states, it tells of the battles and events during the weeks of a quarrel between King Agamemnon and the warrior Achilles...
, describes three performances made around the spear of Achilles
Achilles
In Greek mythology, Achilles was a Greek hero of the Trojan War, the central character and the greatest warrior of Homer's Iliad.Plato named Achilles the handsomest of the heroes assembled against Troy....
that depict a dance in an open circle. The ancient Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
ns had a dance called ormos, which was a syrto style dance described in detail by Xenophon
Xenophon
Xenophon , son of Gryllus, of the deme Erchia of Athens, also known as Xenophon of Athens, was a Greek historian, soldier, mercenary, philosopher and a contemporary and admirer of Socrates...
where a woman led a male into dance using a handkerchief. 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....
states that the ormos dance was performed in an open circle and was done by young men and women. The men would dance vigorously while the women danced with modest movements. In the 19th century, this dance was called Syrtos O Peloponisios. It is believed to have acquired the name kalamatianos from the town of Kalamata
Kalamata
Kalamata is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf...
in southern Greece; most Greek dances are commonly named after the villages or areas from which they are considered to have originated. Kalamatiano songs are many and popular - some of the more traditional kalamatiano songs are Samiotissa (The girl from Samos
Samoš
Samoš 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:...
), Mandili Kalamatiano (Kerchief from Kalamata
Kalamata
Kalamata is the second-largest city of the Peloponnese in southern Greece. The capital and chief port of the Messenia prefecture, it lies along the Nedon River at the head of the Messenian Gulf...
), Milo Mou Kokkino (My Red Apple), To Papaki (The Duckling), Mou Pariggile To Aidoni (The Nightingale sent me a message), Ola Ta Poulakia (All Birds), etc. An especially haunting example of the kalamatianos, Mekapses Yitonissa (Μέκαψες Γειτόνισσα), was recorded for the National Geographic Society
National Geographic Society
The National Geographic Society , headquartered in Washington, D.C. in the United States, is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Its interests include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical...
's groundbreaking Music of Greece album, released in 1968.
Contemporary influence
The American jazz composer, Dave BrubeckDave Brubeck
David Warren "Dave" Brubeck is an American jazz pianist. He has written a number of jazz standards, including "In Your Own Sweet Way" and "The Duke". Brubeck's style ranges from refined to bombastic, reflecting his mother's attempts at classical training and his improvisational skills...
, well known for his exploration of asymmetrical rhythms in his own music, used a variant of the rhythm of the kalamatianos for his Unsquare Dance
Unsquare Dance
"Unsquare Dance" is an iconic musical piece written by the American jazz composer Dave Brubeck in 1961.Written in 7/8 time, the piece is a typical example of Brubeck's exploration of time signatures. According to Brubeck, it was written during a single trip from his home to the recording studio,...
, though the measures are divided into two groups of 4 followed by 3 beats rather than 3 followed by 4. The 1960s popular singer, formerly known as Cat Stevens
Cat Stevens
Yusuf Islam , commonly known by his former stage name Cat Stevens, is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, educator, philanthropist, and prominent convert to Islam....
, wrote and performed a song, Ruby Love, in 7/8 time with a distinctive Greek flavour. Stevens, who would later convert to Islam, has paternal Greek Cypriot roots. Near the end of the 2002 film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding
My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a 2002 Canadian and American romantic comedy film written by and starring Nia Vardalos and directed by Joel Zwick. The film is centered on Fotoula "Toula" Portokalos , a middle class Greek American woman who falls in love with a non-Greek upper middle class "White...
, the cast dances the kalamatianos to the song, Orea Pou Ine I Nifi Mas (Ωραία που είναι η νύφη μας) at Ian and Toulla's wedding reception.
Lyrics
Μήλο μου κόκκινο, ρόιδο βαμμένο (x2)Γιατί με μάρανες το πικραμένο
Παένω κ’ έρχομαι μα δεν βρίσκω (x2)
Βρίσκω την πόρτα σου μανταλομένη
Τα παραθυρούδια σου φεγγοβολούνε (x2)
Ρωτάω την πόρτα σου, που πάει η κυρά σου
Κυρά μ’ δεν είναι ‘δώ, πάησε στην βρύση (x2)
Πάησε να βρει νερό και να γεμίσει
Translation
My red apple, my scarlet pomegranate,why have you made me wilted and bitter?
I come and go, but cannot find you
I try your door, and it's always locked.
Your windows are always lighted
I ask your door, "Where is your lady?"
"My lady is not here, she is at the wellspring
She's gone to bring water".
Sources
- George H. Lykesas [Γιώργος Χ. Λυκέσας]. Οι Ελληνικοί Χοροί [Greek Dances]. Thessaloniki: University Studio Press, 2nd Edition, 1993.
See also
- 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...
music - Greek music
- 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...
- 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:...
- Pentozali
- 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...
- Greek dancesGreek dancesGreek 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...
- Chasapiko or makellarios
- 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 ....
- 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...
External links
- Petros Gaitanos - Milo Mou Kokkino
- Learn to Dance the Kalamatiano
- Kalamatianos - Dance Steps
- Dance Steps (Kalamatianos)
- Speak Greek - Kalamatianos
- YouTube - Kalamatianos
- Kalamatianos (YouTube)
- Samiotissa by Nana Mouskouri
- O Haralambis by Stelios Kazantzidis
- Greek Rhythms and Dances - Kalamatianos
- MySpaceTV Videos: Folklore Dances (Makedonitika)(Po Po Maria ,Milo Mou Kokkino)
- Tous aux Balkans: Kalamatianos songs