Assyrian Folk Dances are dances that are performed throughout the world by Assyrians, mostly on occasions such as weddings, community parties and other jubilant events.
Assyrian folk dances are mainly made up of circle dances that are performed in a line, which may be straight, curved, or both. Most of the dances allow unlimited number of participants, with the exception of the Sabre Dance, which require three at most. Assyrian dances would vary from weak to strong, depending on the mood and tempo of a song.
Assyrian folk dances belong to five metric groups: 2
4 (10 dances), 4
4 (6 dances), 6
8 (13 dances), 9
8 (1 dance), 10
8 (1 dance). The tempo would usually range from slow (70 Beats Per Minute) to very fast (140 beats).
Maps, Directions, and Place Reviews
Technique
All Assyrians dances, with the exception of the Sabre Dance, are done in a connected circle. Most Assyrian line dances are itinerant dances and move laterally. In an open floor space, the lines assume open circular shapes where they tend to curve and acquire spiral shapes as determined by floor space availability.
There are only five ways of moving the body; Step, leap, run, hop and jump. The legs are also used to stamp, stomp and kick. The arms are used predominantly and they'd usually move independently of the legs. Arm gestures include bouncing, swinging forward and back, moving side-to-side, lifting above the head and clapping.
In many dances, the torso, along with the shoulders and arms, bounce up and down rhythmically. Stomps and stamps are also executed in Assyrian folk dances. Knee bends, deep squats and leg extensions are a regular occurrence in Assyrian dance.
The connections include, hand-to-hand, hand to shoulder, and hand to hip, with hand-to-hand being the most popular. The hand-to-hand type has three connections; The "W", the "V" and the "T". The "W" arm hold is the most common where the arms are raised into the "W" position (or, at least, it appears to look like the letter W). The "T" dance is where hands are placed on other participants's shoulders. This is the least common dance of the three.
Iraqi Dance Video
Dances
Fast pace
- Siskany: It has an affiliation to one of the Kurdish dances, since it involves the dancers moving forwards and backwards, with an emphasis on their feet, in an zippy manner. The participants may shake their shoulders and move their limbs briskly. The dance is predominantly practiced by Chaldeans. The pulsating tempo is consanguineous to the electronic dance music and dance-pop found in western music. It goes by the time signature of 4
4 and the tempo is around 120-135bpm. - Gubbare: Mostly danced at the end of a party. The music is fast, lively and upbeat, akin to a jig. The music accompanying the dance is typically in the major key. Pinkies interlock, dancers repeatedly go forward and back in motion in the circle. Gubareh is in 4
4 and its tempo is around 125-135bmp. - Bablaka: Fervently danced, with pinkies interlocking, where they (hands and arms too) move up and down energetically and perennially. But unlike gubareh, the participant is more stable where they will not prance forward and backwards in the dance floor. Motion is intemperately focused on arms, shoulders and hands in bablaka. Dancers may also rhythmically bend knees. The beat is virtually homogeneous to gubareh. The meter is 4
4 and tempo is around 125-130bpm. - Belaty: The dance is accompanied by a moderately fast-paced Arabic rhythm (similar to belly dancing music). Dancers would connect hand-to-hand in the circle, lift legs to the beat whilst making a slight leap and kick their legs to the sides in the air (this would repeat). The beat is 125-135bpm. 4
4. - Tolama: Lively and energetic dance where the participants constantly jump and kick legs in the air (similar to belaty and gubareh), whilst also moving their torso forward and backwards. Uncommon dance. The time signature is 2
4 and temp is 125-140bpm. - The Sabre Dance: A solo dance that usually involves one to three participants. As the dance starts, the sword bearer dances by himself, waving his sword and holding his shield (a shield is optional, though). The dance represents the symbolic surrender of the bride to the groom and his family. In weddings, it is performed by the closest male relatives of the couple. The rhythm is a 6
8 duple meter, and this gives a "springy" feeling to the dance.
Moderate pace
- Khigga: The most popular Assyrian dance. Individuals hold hands with the line or circle following around the dance floor where they gently move one leg forward, backward and repeat with the next leg. Khigga is the most simplest of Assyrian folk dance. Its music is the first beat that is played when welcoming the bride and groom to the reception hall. Khigga goes by the time signature of 4
4 with moderate tempo between 105-115bpm. Furthermore, the term khigga is also occasionally used to denote all the Assyrian folk circle dances, i.e. "Khigga'd belaty" ("khigga of belaty"), "khigga'd gubareh", etc. - Heavy Khigga (Khigga Yaqoora): Virtually the same dance as above, except the tempo would be geared up and the participants would make more ardent and exaggerated moves, as its name suggests. It is not to be confused with Siskani, as the dance moves have distinguishing techniques. Heavy khigga goes by the time signature of 4
4 with tempo between 115-125bpm. - Chobi: A modern circle dance found in Iraqi music. It is participated by Iraqi Assyrians. The dance is similar to khigga, but it would have more pronounced leg elevation and swaying. Each leg swiftly kicks to the air and repeats. Arms sway forwards and backwards. The tempo is around 95bpm-100bpm.
- Tanzara: Legend has it that the dance was brought to Anatolia by the Ancient Assyrians during there conquest of the region in the Assyrian empire in commemoration to the god of food and vegetation. Dancers connect by holding hands in the circle or line, go forwards and backwards by making a little knee bending. Uncommon than above dances. The time signature is 2
4 and tempo is 115-125bpm. - Kochari: The notable attribute of this dance is that the participants are connected by arms-on-arms (akin to dabke). Each leg makes a kick in a repetitive manner. Common among Assyrians in Syria. Very rare among other Assyrians. 2
4, 110-120bmp
Slow pace
- Sheikhani: Dance is more laid-back and slightly slower than khigga. The main movement is two-step. The two-step begins with the right foot (right-left-right) and is then repeated with the left foot (left-right-left). Hands are interlocked, left arm is bent at the elbow and pressed against the back, right arm held forward against the back of the dancer in front. The dancers go forward a couple steps in, with their arms at their sides and at the same time, kick into the center. After that, they immediately step back out. Sheykhani is 4
4 in time signature and is 85-105bpm. - Bagiye: Evolved from Sheikhani, Bagiyeh has a move where the dancers slowly turn, leisurely kick both legs in the air, then brusquely raise hands into air whilst making a sharp rotation. The dancers would turn to the right; their hands are hooked to one another by the fingers, the right arm is bent in front of the body, and the left arm is bent in behind the back. Although similar, bagiye is sluggish and more onerous than sheikhany. Bagiyeh is 4
4 in time signature and is 80-95bpm. - Georgina: Like Siskany, it is a Kurdish-inspired dance that's slow paced and usually accompanied by sentimental ballads. The music tends have a Turkish and Kurdish flavour. Dancers hold the pinkie or little finger and move them rhythmically (akin to bablaka, albeit gently). It is more common among Chaldean Assyrians. The tempo is around 70bpm-80bpm. 3
4. - Azia Tamma: Similar to sheikhani in terms of pace, but with more steps that go forward and backwards (or reverse) a notch. Not common. 2
4, 82-88bpm
Other dances
These Assyrian folk dances are rarely danced, but they're still practiced within some tribes and/or special events:
- Janiman: 10
8, 60-66bpm - Mamer: 2
4, 122-130bpm - Arabanoo: 6
8, 52-66bpm - Azrabukeh: 6
8, 116-126bpm - Hareigooleh: 6
8, 116-124bpm - Hoberban: 6
8, 130-134bpm - Zingirta: 2
4, 120-150bpm - Shara: 6
8, 92-100bpm - Dimdimma: 2
4 or 6
8, 72-76 (2
4), 118-122bpm (6
8) - Janiman: 10
8, 60-66bpm - Hoberban: 6
8, 130-134bpm - Mamyana: 2
4, 68-74bpm - Demale: 4
4, 63-69bpm - Chalakhan: 6
8, 126-132bpm - Sinjiyeh
- Bet-Karkhan
- Beriyo
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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