Greek Dance

CULTURE

The origins of many traditional dances are as ancient as Greek civilisation itself. The ancient Greeks’ love for the dance was such that they believed it had divine origins. Something so beautiful was surely sent by the gods, they reasoned.

TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCES

Traditional folk dances come in many varieties, but can be subdivided into two basic types: (a) the trailing dances, and (b) the leaping dances. They are proud, stalwart dances, performed in a semi-circle.  When danced in ethnic costumes they are very colourful and inspiring. The best known of these dances are the kalamatianos and the tsamikos, but there are many other dances which are regionally and historically significant, commemorating heroic feats within Greek history.

THE KALAMATIANOS

The kalamatianos, said to be of ancient origin, is undoubtedly one of the most popular dances in Greece and is danced throughout the country by both men and women.  As its name indicates, the dance originated from the province of Kalamata in Southern Greece, where the world-famous kalamata olives come from.

The kalamatianos is danced in a trailing semi-circle to the unfamiliar rhythm of 7/8. It consists of twelve basic steps upon which all the variations are based. The variations are usually performed only by the first, or lead, dancer, who is at thehead of the line on the extreme right, facing into the semi-circle.

THE TSAMIKOS

The tsamikos is an imposing dance whose rhythm is one of grandeur. Its variations consist of both smooth and leaping steps, which give the dance a triumphant air. In earlier times, the tsamikos was danced in the mountainous areas of Epirus, in Northern Greece, only by men. Today, it is enjoyed throughout Greece by both men and women.

The tsamikos also became the favourite dance of the mountain fighters and rebels (Klephts) of the Greek Revolution of 1821 against the Ottoman Turks. It is danced in a semi-circle, with the leader performing variations while the others follow the basic steps. The deliberate, grandiose nature of this dance stirs considerable excitement in the individual, especially the leader. The peak of the dance exhorts the leader to perform outstanding gymnastic and acrobatic feats.

THE ZALONGO

In Greek history, the Zalongo dance holds a very special and emotive place.  The historic events that surround the heroic act of 63 Souliotises (women from Souli), were first reported in the “Ethnic Newspaper” of Nafplion (Peloponnese), on 18 June 1932.

Souli is a village in the Thesprotia province of Western Epirus.  It climbs up the Zaloggo mountain crop, which sports a mighty deep gorge that received the women of Souli, when they decided to die rather than fall in the hands of the enemy.  During the War of Independence against the Ottoman Turks, the men of Souli fought and fell heroically, one by one.  On 23 December 1803, in order to avoid capture and enslavement, the 63 Souliotises, holding their children in their arms formed a circle and performed a dance.  The women first threw their children and then themselves off a steep cliff, jumping into the abyss one after the other while singing and dancing.  In this way they fell until none was left.

The incident soon became known across Europe.   At the Paris Salon of 1827, the French artist Ary Scheffer exhibited two Romantic paintings, one of which was entitled Les Femme Souliotes (”The Souliot Women”). Today, a monument on the site of Mount Zalongo in Kassope commemorates their sacrifice.

There is a popular Greek dance-song about the event, which is known and danced throughout Greece today.  The Greek folk song “Dance of Zalongo” has the following lyrics:

Farewell poor world,
Farewell sweet life,
and you, my unfortunate country,
Farewell for ever

Farewell springs,
Valleys, mountains and hills
Farewell springs
And you, women of Souli

The fish cannot live on the land
Nor the flower on the sand
And the women of Souli
Cannot live without freedom

Farewell springs,
…

The women of Souli
Have not only learnt how to survive
They also know how to die
Not to tolerate slavery

Farewell springs,
…

The Zalongo Memorial

VASILO ARCHONDISA

(Vasilo = Girl’s name, Archontisa = Noble woman)

Vasilo Archontisa is a circle dance from Pogoni, Epiros, in 5/8 rhythm. It is danced to the sound of a song by the same name.

The song describes the kidnapping of a noble young woman, Vasilo, for ransom. The kidnapping took place in the village square of Metsovo in the beginning of the 20th century. Vasilo was the daughter of Nikolaki Averof, a Senator and niece of George Averof the then Prime Minister of Greece. The ransom was the equivalent in gold of the young woman’s body weight. Vasilo’s weight is recorded as 85 okades (ancient Turkish measurement*).
The villain was a notorious bandit by the name of Thymios Yakis, leader of a famous war-faring tribe of Sarakatsani.

The ransom was duly paid and the girl was returned to the bosom of her family. Thymios moved to Aidini (near Smyrna or Ismir as it is now called) and joined a guerrilla outfit. He died of a Turkish bullet while fighting the Tsets.

Vasilo Archondisa is still a popular dance in Epiros, the song a sad “miroloi” (dirge) and those who happen to know the story, are held captive of the same fascination as those performing the dance almost a century ago.

*1 oka = 750 g.