Assyrian folk dance

Folk dance in an Assyrian party.

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).[1][2]

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.[3]

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.[4]

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.[5]

Common Dances

A typical khigga beat, having a moderate dance tempo. It is the common style in Assyrian folk dance.
The fast-paced siskani beat. Also known as "heavy khigga". Rhythmically and melodically, it bears resemblance to Turkish and Kurdish dance music.
A standard sheikhany rhythm. Laid-back and slower than khigga. Rhythm may be similar to reggaeton and calypso music.
The fast-paced and lively gubare beat. Tends to have an energetic and brisk tone, usually with traditional musical arrangement.
The moderately paced belaty rhythm, which has an Arab pop rhythm.
The typical beat of the Georgina dance music, which has a slow, leisurely tempo and a maudlin tone.
The Iraqi Chobi rhythm. A slower paced, rhythmical beat.

Other dances

These Assyrian folk dances aren't as common, but they're still practiced in marginal communities:

Video gallery

Video excerpts of each Assyrian dance style:

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Stauder, W. Harfen Und Leiern Vorderasiens im Babylonischer under Assyrischer Zeit, s. 51-55, 36-38
  2. ↑ Andrae, W. Farbige kemik aus Assur, Fig. 29, s.24
  3. ↑ Engel, Carl. The Musik of the most ancient naton London 1864
  4. ↑ Anca Giurchescu, Sunni Bloland; Romanian Traditional Dance; Wild Flower Press; Mill Valley, California; 1995
  5. ↑ Subhi Anwar Rashid, Mesopotamien, Abb 137
  6. ↑ Rudolf Laban, The Mastery of Movement; Boston: Plays; 1950.
  7. ↑ Subhi Anwar Rashid, The History of Musical Instruments in Old Iraq, Fig. 41 (In Arabic)
  8. ↑ Subhi Anwar Rashid, Mesopotamien (Musikgeschichte in Bildern, Leipzig 1984, S. 130 Abb 147
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