Turkey is known for its sophisticated culture that reflects in various dances. These folk dances are standard at wedding ceremonies, national and regional festivals, meetings like the ferfene, yaren talks and many more.
Turkish folk dances have their origins dating back to ancient times. The blending of various civilizations, such as Hittites, Phrygians, Greeks, and Romans, significantly influenced the development of these dances. Over the centuries, with the rise of the Byzantine and Ottoman empires, the dances evolved, incorporating elements from Central Asia, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. These diverse influences shaped the distinct regional variations of Turkish folk dances seen today.
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The colorful and elaborate costumes worn during Turkish folk dances are an integral part of their visual appeal. These costumes vary from region to region, reflecting the local traditions and historical influences. Intricately embroidered fabrics, vibrant patterns, and embellishments distinguish the attire worn by male and female dancers. Moreover, some dances incorporate traditional props like handkerchiefs, sticks, swords, or tambourines, adding an extra layer of excitement and complexity to the performances.
Many different types of folk dances are performed in various ways in Turkey, with the cultural structure of each region represented by its own particular folk dance some of these are:
Horon Folk Dance
This Anatolian folk dance is the ancient koron-horon, originally of pagan worship, and became a sacred ritual dance performed by men only. There are many different types of this dance in different regions. The word “Horon” comes from “hur-kor” meaning “Sun”, or “horom” meaning a line of six or seven corn stalks all tied together to form a lattice. It looks like people joined together with arms raised. The Horon is generally danced by a chain of either men or women who form a line or semi-circle. It has one of the most characteristic movements a fast shoulder shimmy (“tremoulo”) and a sudden squat. This imitates or suggests the movements of a fish called the “hamsi”, a type of anchovy, as it swims in the sea or struggles in the nets for its life. When men and women link arms and perform together as a couple, the dance is often referred to as “Rahat” (comfortable Horon), since it is slower and simpler in its patterns. Honors are danced to the music of the cura zurna (a wind instrument), the cura davul (a two-stringed instrument with a high-pitched sound), the Tulum (looks and sounds like a modern-day bagpipe), the kemence (bottle-shaped bowed lute), koltuk davul (a large, double-headed drum played with mallets), and even the accordion.
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Spoon Folk Dance
They have a very different structure with their arrangement, performance, rhythmic and melodic characteristics. Dances with spoons used to be played in Middle Asia to the emperors. The dancers use two plates and two wooden spoons, and dance freely and apart from each other, holding their spoons in each hand. The dance is done by forming a circle or standing opposite one another, face-to-face. The spoons define the rhythm of the music, which is at 2/4 or 4/4 time. The music of most spoon dances comes from folk songs with lyrics. When instruments are used, it is the beast bow (later the four-stringed violin), clarinet, and baglama, a national four-stringed instrument that is a smaller form of the guitar.
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Bar Dance
With its structure and formation, Bar dances are performed by groups in the open. In general, this dance is spread over the Eastern Anatolia region, especially in Erzurum, Artvin, Bayburt, Agri, Kars, and Erzincan provinces. The characteristic of the Bar Dance is its formation. It is performed side-by-side, hand-in-hand, shoulder-to-shoulder, and arm-in-arm. Women and men’s Bar dances are different from one another. The principal instruments of the Bar Dance are the “davul” (a large double-headed drum played with mallets) and the “zurna” (the shrill pipe). The clarinet has been added to the women’s Bar Dance. The dancers normally wear costumes, dance with pride, and turn their hands as they hop dance.
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Hora Folk Dance
The dancers hold each other’s hands and the circle spins, usually counterclockwise, as each participant follows a sequence of three steps forward and one step back. The dance is usually accompanied by musical instruments such as the cymbalom, accordion, violin, viola, double bass, saxophone, trumpet, or the pan pipes.The steps used are extremely diverse, varying between three and seven or eight steps forward, and one to five or six steps back. The Hora is popular during wedding celebrations and festivals, and differs by the rhythm of the music and the steps taken. It is an essential part of the social entertainment in rural areas.
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Lezginka Folk Dance
It is the collective name originally given by Russians to all Caucasian dances united by fast 6/8 rhythm. It can be a male solo dance (often with a sword) or a pair’s dance. The melody is clear and dynamic, the pace is fast. The man, imitating the eagle, falls to his knees, leaps up, and dances with concise steps and strong, sharp arm and body movements. When the dance is performed in pairs, couples do not touch; the woman dances quietly as she regards the man’s display. A common mistake made is to attribute this dance only to the Lezgin people, a Northeast Caucasian ethnic group native predominantly to southern Dagestan and northeastern Azerbaijan who speak the Lezgian language.
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Turkish folk dances stand as a vibrant testament to the rich cultural heritage and unity of the Turkish people. Through these dances, they not only express their emotions but also transmit their history and traditions to future generations. The colorful costumes, intricate choreography, and enthusiastic performances embody the essence of Turkey's cultural mosaic. By embracing and cherishing their folk dances, the Turkish people continue to strengthen their sense of identity and create lasting connections among themselves and the world.
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