Tsakonikos
Encyclopedia
The Tsakonikos or Tsakonikos khoros ( "Tsakonian dance") 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.
In Ayios Andreas, it is performed as a mixed dance in an open circle, with the hands held up (αγκαζέ angaze, in Greek). The most popular songs for the tsakonikos are "Sou ipa mana kale mana" and "Kinisan ta tsamopoula".
The dance is performed to a 5/4 (3+2) rhythm in an open circle which slowly winds in upon itself, forming a snail-shaped design. This labyrinthine formation is, according to legend, linked to the Crane dance of Theseus
in Greek mythology
, who slew the Minotaur
in the Labyrinth
of King Minos
. It has also been linked to the slaying by Apollo
of the Python
at Delphi
.
Translation:
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....
performed in the Peloponnese
Peloponnese
The 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...
in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. It comes from the region, chiefly in Arcadia
Arcadia
Arcadia is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the administrative region of Peloponnese. It is situated in the central and eastern part of the Peloponnese peninsula. It takes its name from the mythological character Arcas. In Greek mythology, it was the home of the god Pan...
, known as Tsakonia
Tsakonia
Tsakonia or the Tsakonian region describes the area of the eastern Peloponnese where the Tsakonian language is presently spoken...
. It is danced in many towns villages there with little variation to the steps.
In Ayios Andreas, it is performed as a mixed dance in an open circle, with the hands held up (αγκαζέ angaze, in Greek). The most popular songs for the tsakonikos are "Sou ipa mana kale mana" and "Kinisan ta tsamopoula".
The dance is performed to a 5/4 (3+2) rhythm in an open circle which slowly winds in upon itself, forming a snail-shaped design. This labyrinthine formation is, according to legend, linked to the Crane dance of Theseus
Theseus
For other uses, see Theseus Theseus was the mythical founder-king of Athens, son of Aethra, and fathered by Aegeus and Poseidon, both of whom Aethra had slept with in one night. Theseus was a founder-hero, like Perseus, Cadmus, or Heracles, all of whom battled and overcame foes that were...
in Greek mythology
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
, who slew the Minotaur
Minotaur
In Greek mythology, the Minotaur , as the Greeks imagined him, was a creature with the head of a bull on the body of a man or, as described by Roman poet Ovid, "part man and part bull"...
in the Labyrinth
Labyrinth
In Greek mythology, the Labyrinth was an elaborate structure designed and built by the legendary artificer Daedalus for King Minos of Crete at Knossos...
of King Minos
Minos
In Greek mythology, Minos was a king of Crete, son of Zeus and Europa. Every year he made King Aegeus pick seven men and seven women to go to Daedalus' creation, the labyrinth, to be eaten by The Minotaur. After his death, Minos became a judge of the dead in Hades. The Minoan civilization of Crete...
. It has also been linked to the slaying by Apollo
Apollo
Apollo is one of the most important and complex of the Olympian deities in Greek and Roman mythology...
of the Python
Python (mythology)
In Greek mythology, Python was the earth-dragon of Delphi, always represented in Greek sculpture and vase-paintings as a serpent. He presided at the Delphic oracle, which existed in the cult center for his mother, Gaia, "Earth," Pytho being the place name that was substituted for the earlier Krisa...
at Delphi
Delphi
Delphi is both an archaeological site and a modern town in Greece on the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus in the valley of Phocis.In Greek mythology, Delphi was the site of the Delphic oracle, the most important oracle in the classical Greek world, and a major site for the worship of the god...
.
"Sou Ipa Mana"
The tsakonikos is commonly danced Sou ipa mana (gr: Σου είπα μανά, Σου 'πα μανα μ' — "I said to you, mother")
Σου είπα μανά μ’, καλέ μανά μ’,
Σου είπα μανά μ’, πάντρεψέ με.
Σου είπα μανά μ’, πάντρεψέ με.
Σπιτονοικοκύρεψέ με.
Γέρον άντρα, καλέ μανά μ’,
Γέρον άντρα μη μου δώσεις.
Γέρον άντρα μη μου δώσεις.
Γιατί θα το μετανιώσεις.
Γιατί ο γέρος, καλέ μανά μ’
γιατί ο γέρος τα λογ’ιάζει
γιατί ο γέρος τα λογ’ιάζει
και τα διπλολογαριάζει
Translation:
I said to you, mother, dear mother,
I said to you mother, marry me off,
I said to you mother, marry me off,
Make me the mistress of my own house.
An old man, mother, dear mother,
An old man you should not give me,
An old man you should not give me,
Because you will regret it.
For the old man, my fair mother,
For the old man considers things,
For the old man considers things,
And then reconsiders them.
See also
- Greek music
- 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...
- 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:...
- 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...
- Dora StratouDora StratouDora Stratou was a significant contributor to Greek Folk Dancing and Greek Folk Music. She issued one of the largest series of folk music in the world with 50 records and is the founder of the Greek Dances-Dora Stratou Society....
External links
- "The Tsakonian Dance" from the University of PatrasUniversity of PatrasUniversity of Patras is a university established in 1964 in Patras, Greece. Initially housed in the city centre, the university's campus is now located in the adjacent municipality of Rio...
(English; incl. photos)http://arcadia.ceid.upatras.gr/arkadia/culture/tsakonia/bekiros.html - Τσακώνικος Χορός from the University of Patras (Greek; with additional photos & video not available in English-language versionhttp://arcadia.ceid.upatras.gr/arkadia/culture/tsakonia/horos.html
- Video from the 2010 Grand Festival of Greek Dance at Argos http://youtube.com/watch?v=yrW_JzrbllY