The history of Turkish folk dance has its roots in the distant past and is the result of the interaction of a large number of cultures and traditions of different peoples living in the same territory in ancient times. Dancing is very different depending on the region where they dance.
Currently, Turkish folk dances are performed at weddings, family events, festivals, as well as on religious and public holidays. Sometimes, in a skillfully performed dance, thanks to the body language and professional movements of the performer, the story of a lifetime can be told.
Belly dance
Turkish belly dance originates in the East. During the reign of the Ottoman Empire, this dance was widespread and performed not only by women, but also by men. In ancient times, there were associations of male dancers who dressed in women's skirts or harem pants and performed a passionate belly dance. The musical accompaniment for the dance is the rhythmic sounds of clarinet, oboe, cymbals and drums. An artistic and challenging manner of performing the dance is most likely the competition in the harems of the Ottoman Empire, when this dance was born. Now the belly dance is performed by girls in beautiful bright dresses, emphasizing their perfect figure.
Dervish Dance
Even one who has never been to Turkey has seen the dance of dervishes, which revolve to bewitching music. Initially, the dance was a ritual ceremony that was performed by members of the Sufi order. Now professional dancers are dancing in traditional costumes of dervishes: a cap in the form of a cap of a cylindrical shape symbolizes a tombstone, a white suit with a long skirt indicates a shroud, and a black cloak in which the performers take the stage and take off during the climax of the dance is a symbol graves. The dance is a truly spectacular sight.
Zaybek
The word Zaibek during the Ottoman Empire was called police units. The word itself translates as "brother", "friend". This dance is considered the Turkish dance of men. The first part of the dance is called "walk" - men slowly and proudly walk to the music. When the music becomes louder and more active, the main part begins, accompanied by cries. The main movements are squats and turns. Zaybek is played to the drum and pipe. Also, dancers can accompany the movement with the sound of wooden spoons to the beat of the main music.
Hallay
This is a dance without which no triumph is complete. Turkish folk dance Halai is considered one of the most beautiful. The name comes from a word meaning unity, contact. The dance is somewhat reminiscent of a round dance. The dancers first line up and then form a circle. Traditionally, the dance is performed accompanied by a drum and a pipe. The leading dancer in the line in his hands is a bright shawl, with which he waves in time to the sound of music.
Burial
The Turkish folk dance Khoron is typical of the regions located along the Black Sea line. Its name literally translates as "dance". The burial is accompanied by active music and fun songs. During the performance, the dancers line up or form a circle. The main movements are working with shoulders, bending the body, lowering to the knees and active swinging legs forward.
Bar
A large group of Turkish folk dances, which were distributed in the eastern part of Turkey, is united under the name Bar. During execution, people stand in a row, touching each other with their shoulders and holding hands. As a rule, the dance is accompanied by instrumental playing and singing. Some parts of the dance are performed by two people, in this case they hold hands, but most often a large number of men and women participate in it.
Dancing with spoons
This type of dance has become widespread in the south of the country. The dancers stand in two rows and set themselves a rhythm, knocking wooden spoons on one another. A rhythmic and active dance is performed to drum music.
Kolbasti
Kolbasti is a relatively young dance that Turkish youth loved. Kolbasti translates as "police arrest red-handed." A dynamic and active dance, in which many movements imitate blows, is most often performed by two and resembles a drunken brawl with the police.
Jepikli
One of the varieties of Turkish folk dance performed at weddings is Jepikli. This dance symbolizes the endless happiness of the newlyweds. The dance is performed by a representative of the stronger sex. The movements of the dancers standing opposite each other are very energetic and active.
Stories about Turkish folk dances can be heard endlessly. But you can fully plunge into their atmosphere and feel the Turkish culture, expressed in dance movements, only by seeing, or, better, dancing one of the dances.