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From 1910 to the seventies, the basic dance of both men and women was the "kartchilamas" performed by a confronted pair of dancers. The "kartchilamas" consists of a series of dances that vary slightly according to the performers, the locality, or the era. |
These dances are essentially parts of a whole, or suite, the parts being known as the "kartchilamas" or "first", "second", "third", "fourth", and "fifth" or "balos", rounded off by other dances such as the "syrtos", "zeipekkikos", and "mandra". A feast would usually end with one of the pan-hellenic dances, the "kalamatianos", circle-dance in which all might join.
Cypriot dances are mainly of the type performed by a confronted pair, invariably two men or two women, or men's solo dances displaying virtuosity and often performed with a hand-held object, either a sickle, knife, sieve, or tumbler. In their steps and general characteristics - such as the movement of the body and limbs - they have features in common with dances of the historic Greek islands. Apart from these common features, Cypriot dances are distinguished by steps peculiar to certain localities, such as stamping in one spot with the feet, crossed alternately in front of each other, in the "second" and particularly the "third" ""kartchilamas"" and in the "syrtos" for men. Improvisation is another characteristic of Cypriot dances and may be attributed to their being performed by only two people and so to an overriding sense of comparison and, by extension, of competition. The different types of Cypriot dances are:
Syrtos: This folk dance, performed by men and women in couples in a circle, is very popular in social gatherings, weddings and religious festivals. It symbolizes the harmony between male and female roles in the Cypriot society.
Men's Dances ("Kartzilamas"): Men dance in pairs across from each other. These very lively dances demonstrate the virility and agility of the Cypriot men.
Women's Dances ("Kartzilamas"): Women dance in pairs to demonstrate their humility and grace. The movements of the dances show the Cypriot woman's needle work abilities.
Datsia: A dance performed in social gatherings and weddings. It demonstrates the agility of the dancer - a man - as well as his skill to balance glasses filled with wine centrifugally turned in a circular sieve.
Sickle Dance: A dance also performed in social gatherings and weddings by a man. He uses the sickle, which is very sharp, to show off his swiftness in harvesting.
Antikristos: Men and women gracefully dance together in couples in rows across from each other to express the joy of life and love.
Sousta: A very lively dance performed by both men and women in a circle to portray the spirit of community. During certain parts of the dance men dance alone and women dance alone, each demonstrating the virtues of their sex appreciated and respected in the Cypriot society - women show grace and men show strength.
