THRACE

Thrace is a region of northeastern Greece. Dances of Thrace are predominantly
circle dances in which the men dance at the front of the line followed by the
women. Thracians prefer music and dance of a relatively quick and brisk tempo.
Diversity of hand hold positions is particularly characteristic. Their dance
lines tend to move as a unit without highly developed leadership
improvisations. The music of Thrace is characterized by the high pitched
melody of the gaida (goatskin bagpipe) or clarinet and the constant, steady
drumming of the toumbeleki. 

The Dances of Thrace

Zonaradikos
The Zonaradikos is a circle dance in which the dancers hold each other by
their belts or zonaria (hence the name Zonaradikos). This dance is done in
every village and region of Thrace. Three variations of the basic step are
paties or stomps, monopatia or single stomp, and psalidia or scissors, usually
followed by the koulouriastos or curling.

Hassapia
The hassapia dance has been dated back to Hellenistic times, before the time
of Alexander the Great whose soldiers brought it to Macedonia. It is a
warrior's dance in which the movements represent the noiseless approach on the
enemy camp, the encounter, the fight, and the victory. This dance is done in a
circle using a shoulder hold.

Kallinitikos
Kallinitikos is a dance done by groups of three people: a man in the middle
and two women at his sides or a woman in the middle and two men at her sides.
The dance is named after the kalines, the bride's girlfriends, who do this
dance as they escort her to the church.

Kouseftos
Kouseftos, with its characteristic quick running steps, takes its name from
the word kousevo in Thrace which means to run. It differs from other Thracian
dances in that, instead of being danced in a circle, its dance progression
takes the form of a labyrinth.

Mandilatos
Mandilatos is a couples' dance which takes its name from the mandilia or
handkerchiefs that the dancers hold while dancing. This dance is done at
weddings in Thrace as the guests escort the bride or the best man to the
church. During the procession, some guests hold a mirror which symbolizes the
purity of the bride and others hold brooms which symbolize her housekeeping
ability.

Xesyrtos
Xesyrtos  is a circle dance in which the men dance at the front of the line,
followed by the women, and do variations to the dance step with characteristic
slaps, jumps, and kicks.

Stis Tris
Stis Tris means "in threes." Each dance set is composed of three parts of four
steps each. The arms are held down and move in a synchronized motion with the
steps.

Syngathistos
Syngathistos is a free-style couples dance that is danced as the bride and
groom are escorted to and from the church. The bridal party also dances as
they display and exchange gifts with the bride and groom, particularly gifts
of handkerchiefs and head scarves.

Click here for photos of Thracian dances:

Kallinitikos
     1993-FDF-MI-Kallinitikos1
     1993-FDF-MI-Kallinitikos2
     1993-SFEDF-MI-Kallinitikos

Mandilatos
     1993-SFEDF-Mandilatos-GG & IE

Stis Tris
     1991-FDF-MI-Stis Tris
     1996-FDF-MII-Stis Tris

Syngathistos
     1992-FDF-MI-Syngathistos-Jennie
     1992-FDF-MI-Syngathistos-Nicole
     1996-Festival-MII-Syngathistos

Xesyrtos
     1993-SFEDF-Xesyrtos
     1996-FDF-MI-Xesyrtos
     1998-Festival-MII-Xesyrtos

Zonaradikos
     1990-FDF-MI-Zonaradikos
     1991-FDF-MI-Zonaradikos men
     1994-Greece-Firkas-Zonaradikos
     1997-FDF-MIII-Zonaradikos
     1998-Festival-MII-Zonaradikos
     1999-FDF-MII-Zonaradikos

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