Opa! Dancing the Greek Way!

Greek dancing goes back to ancient times; in their culture, dancing is an important part of life. This is intertwined with their expression of life itself. The wonder of Greek dance is that it is still a vibrant part of today’s culture.

There are a few types of dances that are done traditionally, but the most popular and oldest is a line type of dance which circles around. Up until recent times, the men and women would dance separately. The women formed an inner circle, while the men were on the outside. A man would never touch a woman, not even his wife, but would rather hold onto a handkerchief between them. Also traditionally, there is an order to the line up from oldest to youngest. Today, everyone just joins in on the fun.

If you ever go to a Greek Festival, the dance will surely be an essential part of the festivities. You will know the leader, as his right hand will be free. The dancers move to the right. One of the most common dances is the Sirtos, which moves in a shuffle fashion. To join the line, go to the end unless you are experienced or related to the dancers at some other point. The beginners are usually found at the end of the line. By watching the leader or other more experienced dancers, you can catch on in no time. Sometimes the leader will jump up in the air or do other fancy moves, but the rest of the line just continues in their shuffle.

It is a fun experience to enter a Greek Dance. Next time you have the opportunity, don’t miss out. Better yet, find a festival and have a great time experiencing this historical and beautiful ceremony.