Assyrian folk dance
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Assyrian Folk Dances are dances that are performed throughout the world by Assyrians, mostly on occasions such as weddings. The most common social contexts of Assyrian dances are the Khigga (or Mishtoota -- social party) and the Khloola (wedding party). 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).
Types of Dances
Main article: Khigga
- Khigga: The most popular Assyrian dance. It is a form of circle dancing where individuals hold hands with the line following around the dance floor. Khigga is simple to dance and it is the first beat that is played in welcoming the bride and groom to the reception hall. Khigga has other sub-styles such as "Heavy Khigga" or "Normal Khigga". Heavy simply means the same dance beat but slower. Another style of Khigga involve instead of taking steps forward the dancers will take step back, reversing the dance steps. Both khigga styles go by the time signature of 4/4 and tempo between 88 to 104.
- Shaykhanee: Some say the word comes from the Assyrian word "Bshkhana" which means getting warm. Assyrians before going on a hunt or battle would dance on this beat to get warm. Much of the Assyrian original homeland was in snow-peaked mountains, so this was used to warm up the people. It has also been stated that it is "derived from the ancient Assyrian ta-ka'-ni, which means 'come, be happy'." Shaikhani is 4/4 in time signature and has the temp between 80-110. [1]
- Chobi: A modern dance found in Iraqi music
- Tolama: Among the oldest Assyrian dances, rarely performed these days. Mostly danced by Iranian Assyrians.
- Shora: A dramatic folk dancing found by Assyrians in Syria. Shora means Battle in Assyrian.
- Seskanee: A fast-paced song found mainly in the Nineveh plains among Chaldean Catholic Assyrians of Alqosh and surrounding villages.
- Beriyo: created to be danced in the mountains while taking care of all the sheep and the other animals
- Tanzara (Tammuz Ara): Legend has it that the dance was brought to Anatolia by the Ancient Assyrians during there conquest of the region in the Assyrian empire[2][3] in commemoration to the god of food and vegetation Tammuz.
- Dimdimma
- Belaty
- Ekmaly
- Gulbareh one of the best Assyrian dances that is the most popular, usually danced at the end of a party. Has the most upbeat music.
- Janiman
- Mamer
- Hoberban
- Janiman Kavrakh
- Aino Kchume
- Mamyana
- Demale
- Bagiye
- Chalakhan
- Aman(Sut Ictim Dilim Yandi)(Historical Kilis Folk Dance) ,
- Georgina: Slow paced dance, held by the pinky or little finger.