The Kalamatianós Dance is one of the most well known dances of Greece. It is popular throughout Greece and Cyprus and is often performed at social gatherings. As is the case with most Greek folk dances, it is danced in circle with a counterclockwise rotation, the dancers holding hands. It is a joyous and festive dance; its musical beat is 7/8 and the steps are 12: 10 steps counterclockwise ("forward") followed by 2 steps clockwise ("backwards"). Depending on the occasion and the dancers' proficiency, certain steps may be taken as jumps or squats. The lead dancer usually holds the second dancer by a handkerchief, this allowing him or her to perform more elaborate steps and acrobatics. The steps of the Kalamatianós are the same as those of the Syrtos, but the latter is slower and more stately, its beat being an even 4/4.
Contents |
History
The roots of kalamatianos can be found in antiquity. Homer, in the Iliad, describes three performances made around the spear of Achilles that depict a dance in an open circle. The ancient Spartans had a dance called ormos, which was a syrto style dance described in detail by Xenophon where a woman led a male into dance using a handkerchief. Lucian states that the ormos dance was performed in an open circle and was done by young men and women. The men would dance vigorously while the women danced with modest movements.[1] In the 19th century, this dance was called Syrtos O Peloponisios. It is believed to have acquired the name kalamatianos from the town of Kalamata in southern Greece; most Greek dances are commonly named after the villages or areas they are considered to have originated from.[2] Kalamatiano songs are many and popular - some of the more traditional kalamatiano songs are Samiotissa (The girl from Samos), Mandili Kalamatiano (Kerchief from Kalamata), Milo Mou Kokkino (My Red Apple), To Papaki (The Duckling), Mou Pariggile To Aidoni (The Nightingale sent me a message), Ola Ta Poulakia (All Birds), etc.
Song lyrics
Milo Mou Kokkino a traditional kalamatiano song from Western Macedonia.[3]
Lyrics
Μήλο μου κόκκινο, ρόιδο βαμμένο (x2)
Γιατί με μάρανες το πικραμένο
Παένω κ’ έρχομαι μα δεν βρίσκω (x2)
Βρίσκω την πόρτα σου μανταλομένη
Τα παραθυρούδια σου φεγγοβολούνε (x2)
Ρωτάω την πόρτα σου, που πάει η κυρά σου
Κυρά μ’ δεν είναι ‘δώ, πάησε στην βρύση (x2)
Πάησε να βρει νερό και να γεμίσει
Translation
My red apple, my scarlet pomegranate,
why have you made me wilted and bitter?
I come and go, but cannot find you
I try your door, and it's always locked.
Your windows are always lighted
I ask your door, "Where is your lady?"
"My lady is not here, she is at the wellspring
She's gone to bring water".
References
- ^ Lykesas, p. 122.
- ^ Lykesas, p. 123.
- ^ Boston Lykeion Ellinidon - Milo Mou Kokkino
Sources
- George H. Lykesas [Γιώργος Χ. Λυκέσας]. Οι Ελληνικοί Χοροί [Greek Dances]. Thessaloniki: University Studio Press, 2nd Edition, 1993.
External links
- Petros Gaitanos - Milo Mou Kokkino
- Learn to Dance the Kalamatiano
- Kalamatianos - Dance Steps
- Dance Steps (Kalamatianos)
- Speak Greek - Kalamatianos
- YouTube - Kalamatianos
- Kalamatianos (YouTube)
- Samiotissa by Nana Mouskouri
- O Haralambis by Stelios Kazantzidis
- Greek Rhythms and Dances - Kalamatianos
- MySpaceTV Videos: Folklore Dances (Makedonitika)(Po Po Maria ,Milo Mou Kokkino)
- Tous aux Balkans: Kalamatianos songs
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
