Turkish folk dance

Turkish folk dances are diverse expressions of a complex and sophisticated culture. Turkey sits between three different seas and straddles important trade routes. This unique geography has helped create a wide variety of dance forms.

Most of these dances are categorized as line dances. This means participants move together in specific formations. These dances are more than just movement; they are a way for communities to share their history and identity through rhythm and grace.

The mechanics of these dances rely heavily on specific musical measures and rhythmic structures. Many dances use the davul, which is a large drum, and the zurna, a shrill pipe.

In some regions, the combination of two drums and two zurnas is a specific tradition. One zurna often plays the main melody while the second provides a constant accompaniment. Other instruments include the kaval, a shepherd's pipe, and the bağlama, a three-double string instrument played with a plectrum. Some dances, like the Kaşık Oyunları, involve dancers using wooden spoons to create their own rhythmic percussion.

Different regions of Turkey have developed distinct dance styles. In the eastern part of Anatolia, specifically in provinces like Erzurum and Kars, people perform the Bar.

Dancers in the Bar perform side-by-side, linking hands, shoulders, or arms. In the Black Sea region, the Horon is the dominant style.

Horon is a circular dance characterized by very short, distinct steps. The Western Anatolia region is known for the Zeybek, which can be performed by a single person, a pair, or a large group.

In the Mediterranean and Western Central Anatolia, the Kaşık Havası or spoon dances are common.

History plays a major role in how these dances evolved. The Horon is derived from the Laz culture and was originally a Laz pagan dance. The name itself comes from the Greek word "choros," meaning dance. Other dances show connections to older civilizations. For example, the Kasap havasi, or "butcher's dance," has origins in Byzantine times. It was originally performed by butchers who were taken by the Byzantine military. Similarly, the Syrtos is a Greek circle dance that originated in ancient Greece and can be found in the Pontus region.

Musical complexity varies greatly between these styles. The Horon is famous for its extremely fast tempo. Because the melodies are so quick, it is often difficult to play them on every type of instrument. For this reason, musicians often use a small zurna called a "cura" to keep up with the speed. The Zeybek dances also use different tempos, ranging from very slow to very fast. A very slow Zeybek might use a 9/8 measure, while a fast teke dance uses a 2/4 measure. The Samah dances are even more structured, often consisting of three parts: ağırlama (entertainment), yeldirme (cloak wearing), and koğdurma (dismissing).

There are many notable examples of these dances that showcase regional pride. In the Kars and Ardahan provinces, the Lezginka is a well-known performance.

In the Burdur-Fethiye region, the teke (goat) dance is a fast version of the Zeybek. In the eastern Black Sea, the use of the bagpipe mey or small zurna is common for interior melodies. Even the way people dress adds to the experience, as dancers often wear traditional costumes that match the spirit of their specific regional dance.

These dances connect to broader cultural systems and historical movements. They reflect the intersection of various ethnic groups, including Laz, Byzantine, and Greek influences. The variety of instruments, from the reed sipsi to the clarinet, shows how trade and migration brought new sounds to the region. Whether through the prideful hopping of the Bar or the rhythmic clicking of wooden spoons, Turkish folk dance remains a vital way to preserve the many layers of the country's history.