Halay
The Halay (Turkish Halay , Aramaic ܚܓܐ Khigga , Armenian Քոչարի Kochari , Azerbaijani Halay , Kurdish and Zazaish Gowend or Dîlan ) is a traditional folk dance of various ethnic groups, including Turks , Aramaeans , Kurds and Zaza as well as other ethnic groups from the Balkans , Caucasus and the Middle East . Halay is also a national dance of Turkey, which is mainly danced in the eastern Mediterranean region , in eastern , south- eastern and central Anatolia . The slow halay is that in 4/4 and 6/8 time, and the middle to very fast halay is that in 2/4 time.
Dancing opportunities arise predominantly at circumcision festivals , weddings, engagements, henna evenings and other festivals and events. In addition, since the beginning of the 21st century, dance events have been held especially for the Halay in some Western European countries such as Germany. In addition to DJs, famous bands (such as Grup Derdo) and singers (such as Hozan Devran) from the Turkish-Kurdish music scene, mainly Turkish and Kurdish young people are present there, who spend hours - usually in the evening and night hours - the common variants of the halay in dancing in an exuberant mood.
Halay is typically danced side by side in a row, with the dancers hooking their little fingers, holding hands or shoulders. Depending on the type, the arms are stretched straight down, swung forward or, with the arms bent, the hands are rocked, while the little finger is held permanently. A rocking of the shoulders can also occur. The row of dancers is led by a person wearing a white or red cloth or swinging expansively. This person (at the very back or at the very front) determines not only the tempo but also the dance style (there are different types of music), of which there are countless regional typical ones. The most famous halay is the Delilo Halay , which is very popular in Turkey.
Depending on the region and province, people dance side by side, in a circle, parallel or against each other. Apart from minor regional deviations, typical Halay music is the same and is accompanied by Davul and Zurna if necessary . Especially in eastern regions of Turkey there is often rhythmic cheering.
A row dance in the Middle East is called Dabke , in the following countries: Lebanon , Jordan , Syria , Palestine , Israel and Iraq . Folk dances from the Balkans and Caucasus are also similar to the Turkish halay, such as those from Albania , Bulgaria , Greece and Kosovo or Azerbaijan . There are special costumes especially for this dance , which are usually worn on the occasion of a performance.