Kurdish dance
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Kurdish dance (Kurdish: Govend) is a group of traditional hand-holding dances similar to those from the Balkans, Lebanon, and to Iraq. It is a form of round dancing, with a single or a couple of figure dancers often added to the geometrical centre of dancing circle.
According to Encyclopaedia of Islam, Kurds sing and dance in all of their festivals, birthdays and marriage ceremonies. These folkloric dances are one of the main factors in distinguishing Kurds from neighbouring Muslim populations [1].
[edit] Roots of Kurdish dance
Kurdish dances reflect samples of Kurds life during thousands of years. Rhythmical and elegant movements originated from historical record, geographical location, way of living, beliefs, work and struggle, war and quarrel, called 'Halparke. 'Halparke' has got its special place in Kurd's culture in a way that knowing about that needs the deep and valid slight of the viewer to watch the dancers' singing and giving thanks in Hoshar fighting against cruelty in Zangi joy and happiness in Garyan, etc..
The dancers hand in hand are depositaries of centuries of revealed culture in Halparke that indicates their unity in history. These movements differ in different parts of Kurdistan from the variety point of views, and joy and worry have their own special place. Some kinds of these rhythms wear out and are forgotten through the passage of time.
[edit] Variations
In every dance one dancer falls or comes to the head of the circle whom is called 'Serchopí', holding a colorful or symbolic thing in his/her right hand. It is a tradition that not to take his place until he/she will lead the dancers group at least one circle. The rest of dancers are called Gawaní. Sometimes Gawaní is also primarily called to the last dancer of the circle.
Some Kurdish dance has various and numerous versions such as following:
- Dilan
- Sepe
- Geryan
- Chapi or Chepi
The Geryan version is a fast motive dance.
In the Dilan version the dancers on the circular path consist, usually, of alternating men and women holding hands and colourful handkerchiefs called desroke, in a semi-circle, and moving around the circle with the leading and trailing persons waving their kerchiefs in elaborate motions. The leading individual often accentuates the customary steps and motions for the dance by displaying more energy or even by adding to the standard moves some of his own personal liking.
Chepi comes from the word "chep" or "chap" meaning left. It is one of the more simple Kurdish dances. It consists of stepping forward on the left foot twice and then stepping back on the right foot twice while traveling in a circle.
Sepe is similar to chepi but with motives towards the center of the circle and hitting the right foot roughly to the ground.
There are also other variations used by Kurds.
