Misplaced Pages

Revision as of 14:00, 14 February 2011

Zeibekiko (or Zeybekiko, Template:Lang-el) is greek folk dance with a rhythmic pattern of 9/4 or else 9/8 (broken down as 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/16 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/16 + 1/16 + 1/8 + 1/8 + 1/8). The dance originates from the Zeybek warriors of Anatolia. It is a personal dance where people can express their individuality. Only one man at a time may dance it. In older times if another got up, it would be a cause for conflict and possible violence. However, in the 21st century a certain dance etiquette has evolved, seeing men wait until the dancing man stops. Traditionally, applause was not sought nor commonly given, out of respect. This did not, however, lessen creativity, with dancers performing feats such as standing on a glass of wine or a chair or fireplace, or picking up a table, adding a sense of little braggadocio and humor.

Origin

Zeibekiko is a dance which originated from Anatolia. It takes its name from the warriors called the Zeybeks which were militia and guerilla fighters who lived in the Ottoman Empire from the late 17th century to the early 20th century. The Zeybeks protected the people who lived in the villages from bandits and tax collectors. In its early form when danced by the Zeybeck’s it was less focused on improvisation. Originally only the Greek Islanders who lived near Asia Minor knew the dance because of the commercial exchanges and strong relationships that islanders had with people from Asia Minor. Later, in 1922, the Zeibekiko dance was introduced in the Greek mainland as refugees from Asia minor migrated to the Greek mainland. Eventually, it became naturalized in Greece and became a typical Greek dance that reflected the real emotions of the dancer such as sorrow, anguish, and pain.

Zeibekiko Composers and Instruments

The most well known Greek Zeibekiko composers are Vassilis Tsitsanis, Apostolos Kaldaras, Stavros Xarhakos, and Manos Loizos. Manos Loizos composed one of the most popular Zeibekiko songs titled Evdokia, which is an instrumental not vocal piece. Drums or darbukas, bouzouki and the baglama, are played while the Zeibekiko dances are performed.

Zeibekiko Today

Today, Zeibekiko dances take on a different form than the original Zeibekiko dance style practiced by the Zeybek warriors. Originally only men were allowed to perform the dance, however today women are permitted to publicly perform the Zeibekiko dance as well. The dance centers on improvisation and only one-person dances at a time. While the dancer dances alone, everyone else kneels down, and forms a circle around the dancer. While kneeling the audience claps according to the rhythm of the music and encourage the dancer. Although the Zeibekiko dance has a few particular steps to follow, the most impressive Zeibekiko dance consists of creativity and special moves such as picking up a table, or standing on a wine glass or a chair, which adds an individual touch to the show. Today, Zeibekiko is generally danced at celebrations and feasts, and when Greeks go out to nightclubs. Although it did not follow the solo dance style, Turkey set the Guinness world record for the largest Zeibekiko dance on May 15, 2010, having 525 dancers dance the Zeibekiko dance in unison.

See also

• Zeibeks
• Zeybek dance
• List of dances
  • Bouzouki
  • Hasapiko
  • Karşılama
  • Rebetiko
  • Tsifteteli

References

“ Zeibekiko.” http://ejmas.com/pt/2008pt/ptart_tyrovola_0811.html. January 16, 2011.

“ Zeibekiko.” http://www.greeksongs-greekmusic.com/zeibekiko-greek-dance/. January 16, 2011.

“ Zeibekiko.” http://www.tousauxbalkans.net/Catégorie:Zeibekiko. January 16, 2011.

“ Zeibekiko.” http://mideastpercussion.tribe.net/thread/c258ef6b-b6d9-46c5-8f64-52fcc34de04b. January 16, 2011.

“ Zeibekiko.” http://www.jstor.org/stable/835448. January 16, 2011.

1. Kilpatrick, David. "Ethnomusicology", Vol. 6, No. 3, Canadian Issue (Sep., 1972), p. 577.

• Use dmy dates from December 2010
• Greek culture
• Greek art
• Greek dances
• Folk dances