Dimotiká

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Dimotika (the "people's songs"), is a collective name for the folksongs sung on the Greek countryside. On the islands they are called "Nissiotika", island songs. Something similar you can find in the Italian Cantada songs, which influenced the people on the Ionian islands.

Just like in antiquity, these songs have certain dances and rhythms. Even though a Greek may never have heard the song before, he can tell from the rhythm which dance is appropriate.

Generally, these songs have very strong ancient roots, and the long dances "syrtos" (long dance) and "kalamatianos" are to be found on ancient Greek vase paintings.