Turkish folk dance
Turkish folk dances reflect a complex, sophisticated culture.
Turkish folk dances are the folk dances of Turkey. Facing three seas and straddling important trade routes, Turkey has a complex, sophisticated culture reflected in the variety of its dances. The dominant dance forms are types of line dance. There are many different types of folk dances performed in various ways in Turkey, including Zeybek, Bar, Halay, Hora, Horon, Spoon dances, and Lezginka.
The dances are grouped by region and character. In the eastern part of Anatolia, particularly Erzurum, Bayburt, Ağrı, Kars, Artvin, and Erzincan, the Bar is performed by groups in the open, with dancers standing side-by-side, holding hands, shoulders, or arms. Men’s and women’s Bars differ, and the primary instruments are the davul and zurna, with the clarinet later added for women’s dances. Bar rhythms often use 5/8 and 9/8 measures, and dancers wear costumes, moving with pride and turning their hands during hops.
Halay is widespread in eastern, south-central, central, and southeastern Turkey, featuring diverse rhythmic and choreographic elements. These dances are typically accompanied by davul and zurna, but also by kaval, sipsi, çığırtma, or bağlama, and are often performed with folk songs.
The Horon, originating from the Laz culture of the Black Sea region, is a circular dance with distinct short steps. Its fast tempo, often in 7/8 measure, makes it challenging to play on many instruments, so davul and a small zurna called cura are common. Other measures include 5/8 and 9/8.
Zeybek dances, widespread in western Anatolia, originated from the Zeybeks of the Aegean region. They can be performed by one, two, or a group, and range from very slow to very fast tempos, typically in 9/8 measure. Slow Zeybeks traditionally use a combination of two davuls and two zurnas, while fast versions, such as the teke dance from Burdur–Fethiye, may feature the reed.
Other forms include Karsilamas, a fast wedding dance with a 9/8 measure, and Kasap Havası, a butcher’s dance from Istanbul and East Thrace with Byzantine origins. Spoon dances, or Kaşık Oyunları, are prominent in the Mediterranean region and have a distinct structure and performance style.
- field
- Folk dance
- nationality
- Turkish
- known_for
- Line dances, regional diversity, use of davul and zurna
Lore & Background
Turkish folk dances are performed in various regions, each with distinct characteristics. Bar dances are performed by groups in the open, spread over eastern Anatolia, with formations side-by-side, hand, shoulder, and arm-in-arm. Woman and man bars differ. Halay is performed in eastern, south-central, central, and southeastern Turkey, with diverse rhythmic and choreographic elements, often accompanied by davul and zurna or other instruments. Horon, deriving from the Greek word 'choros', is a circular dance from the Black Sea region, characterized by distinct short steps and originally a Laz pagan dance. Zeybek dances are widespread in western Anatolia, originating from the Zeybeks of the Aegean region, and can be performed by one, two, or a group, with measures of 9/8 and varying tempos.
Reader's Guide
Turkish folk dances are significant for their reflection of Turkey's complex culture, shaped by its geography facing three seas and straddling important trade routes. The variety of dances—from the group formations of Bar in eastern Anatolia to the circular Horon of the Black Sea—demonstrates regional diversity. The dances often use traditional instruments like davul and zurna, and measures such as 5/8, 9/8, and 7/16 are characteristic. The legacy of these dances includes their preservation as cultural expressions, with forms like Halay, Zeybek, and Spoon dances remaining well-known. They continue to be performed in their traditional contexts, maintaining connections to historical and regional identities.
Did You Know?
- The dominant dance forms in Turkey are types of line dance.
- Bar dances are performed side-by-side, hand, shoulder, and arm-in-arm.
- Horon derives from the Greek word 'choros' meaning dance.
- Zeybek dances have measures of 9/8 and can be very slow, slow, fast, or very fast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Turkish folk dance?
Turkish folk dance is the collective traditional dance heritage of Turkey, shaped by the country's unique position facing three seas and sitting along historic trade routes. Rather than a single style, it encompasses a broad spectrum of regional forms performed across the country.
What are the main types of Turkish folk dance?
Line dances form the backbone of the tradition, with well-known styles including Zeybek, Bar, Halay, Hora, Horon, Spoon dances, and Lezginka. Each region interprets and performs these forms in its own distinctive way.
What instruments are most associated with Turkish folk dance?
The davul (a large frame drum) and the zurna (a bright, double-reed wind instrument) are the signature pairing that drives the rhythm and energy of these dances. Their interplay sets the tempo for the communal line-dance formations.
Why is Turkish folk dance considered culturally significant?
It is a living expression of Turkey's layered, sophisticated heritage, reflecting centuries of cross-cultural exchange along major trade routes. The remarkable regional diversity of styles makes it one of the most varied folk dance traditions in the world.
What distinguishes Turkish folk dance from other folk traditions?
Its defining trait is the dominance of line-dance structures, where dancers link arms or move in rows rather than in circles or pairs. Combined with the driving davul-and-zurna accompaniment, this gives the tradition a distinctive communal, processional character.
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