Greek dances

Greek dance (Greek: χορός, chorós) is a very old tradition, being referred to by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch and Lucian. There are different styles and interpretations from all of the islands and surrounding mainland areas. Each region formed its own choreography and style to fit in with their own ways. For example, island dances have more of a different smooth flow to them, while Pontic dancing closer to the Black Sea, is very sharp. There are over 10,000 traditional dances that come from all regions of Greece. There are also pan-Hellenic dances, which have been adopted throughout the Greek world. These include specifically the Syrtos, Kalamatianos, Pyrrhichios, Ballos, Zeibekiko, and hasapiko.

Folk dancers from Thasos, 1958

Quotes

• The Greek Dances are extremely pleasant, and full of Mirth. They are of two kinds: The first is a sort of Country-Dance or Couranto, danc'd by Pairs; and the second a kind of Gavote or Branle, in which the Men and Women are mingl'd, as at Passepied in France; only you must hold in your right-hand the Left-hand of your Left-hand Woman, and in your Left the Right-hand of her that is on your Right-hand. The Man who leads the Dance holds the Corner of a Handkerchief and gives the other to his Lady, that he may have room enough to take his Measures, and to give the Dance what Figure or Turn he pleases. At first they begin very gravely with a Saraband-Step, two Steps forwards and three backwards: Then mending their pace by degrees, they begin to leap and run, yet still observing the Rules of a Harmonious Motion; so that the Dance becomes very Gay and Amorous: For the Women leaping one Step forwards, draw their Bodies backwards with a certain pretty Turn that cannot be call'd immodest, yet gives a Man occasion to think of something more than he sees. And besides, the Musick contributes very much to the pleasantness of their Dances, for their Tunes are extremely Brisk and Airy.
  The fittest time to take the pleasure of viewing their way of Dancing, is when they are met at a Wedding; for on such Occasions they give themselves up to Joy and Pleasure, drinking, eating, and sporting, and indulging themselves in all manner of Diversions.
  • Jean Dumont, A New Voyage to the Levant (English translation, 1696), Letter XXII