Greek Dances - What do they mean?

I have addressed Greek dancing in posts previously, and you may recall that I mentioned that there were meanings behind our dances and that I would delve into them one day. Well, hold on to your vrakes guys, as that day has finally come!

So Greek dancing is all about expressing emotions and telling stories. Traditional Greek dancing had plenty of stories: some were to ensure fertility, preparing for war, celebrating victories, overcoming depression and even curing illnesses. They are usually named after villages or places where they originated from.

So what dance means what? I'll address a couple in this post and may explore some other dances in the future!

The 'Zebekiko'
This is a solo dance usually performed by men (eh but you get the odd 'modern' woman sneaking in these days too!). The songs that you dance the 'Zebekiko' to (can also be called the 'vareto') are always very passionate and often reflect struggles and broken hearts. Hence, why it is also known as the 'drunken' dance... It's usually performed very late into the evening (once the booze has taken full effect, you know how it is...). The moves are generally actually very sporadic and drunken looking and although there are some signature moves, it is generally freestyle; just moving to your emotions. It is always danced with an audience knelt down in a circle clapping you on and appreciating your deep felt expressive emotions (unless you're in a fancy dress apparently...) Watch an example below!

The 'Kalamatiano'

This is performed by both men and women in a circle, and is considered a celebratory dance! There is an even number of people as they are coupled up; men and women dance in pairs as well as in a circle. The person at the front has a mantili (hankie) and waves it around as they lead the group. Depending on the occasion being danced to, you can imagine lots of stories when they dance! If you're at a wedding and there are young people performing the dance, you could imagine that the couples are courting and getting to know one other before they have their own matrimonial ceremonies one day. Also, please pause to appreciate the costumes... bless their little outfits; gotta love the fluffy balls on the shoes!?

So that's the traditional Greek dancing. You know, very sweet, innocent, conservative; traditional! Having said that, current Greek dancing has changed somewhat... As clothing has become more racy, so has the dancing..! If you're out in the bouzoukia, you will witness something very different to the traditional dances, but still interestingly distinguishable as Greek. Check this video below of the 'Tsifteteli' to see what I mean...

So... you will probably have noticed the much shorter skirts, and the more sensuous hip wiggling and body writhing amongst the modern Greeks! A big difference to the traditional dances seen above, enen! These days, children learn to dance this way very early and it is not uncommon to see young kids at the bouzoukia dancing until 4am!

So come rain or shine, depression or glory, pain or pleasure... Greeks express how they are feeling by dancing! Next time you are out watching Greek dancing (be it traditional or modern) really take the time to think about what the performers are feeling and appreciate it. Don't forget to toss some cash at them too to show your respect! (Er.. and no, this has nothing to do with the 'cabaret', that's a whole other story.....!)

Greek nights - How the Greeks do it..

In the last post, I told you about Greek nights for the non-Greeks and what you can expect to see there. In this post, I am going to tell you how the Greeks do it. It's kind of like the 'after party' that doesn't even get started until gone midnight! 


Non Greek nights are usually held at tavernas which are like restaurants, but bouzoukia is normally a bit different. There can be a similar layout with long tables, food, dancefloor and a band at a small venue, or they can be at a large venue with a huge stage and a famous Greek performer.

What happens at the bouzoukia wherever you are, is normally the same though. As I said before, get there late. If you get there too early the atmosphere is a little bit dry!
You are normally expected to have something to eat and a bottle of something to drink. You can't just sit there! If you have just come from a late dinner, you can just order some nice fruit and drink the night away!

While you are enjoying your food and drink, you will be entertained by a variety of singers and a band. Every now and then people will go up and dance on stage with the singer (depending on the song, usually!)
You will most likely see the girls up there shaking their hips and twisting their wrists with their arms up in the air with the men simply sitting with their drink enjoying watching the view... But the men aren't totally lazy, they get up to dance to their 'vareto' where they basically do a solo 'drunk' dance with everyone standing/kneeling in a circle around them clapping. 

Some men and women get really adventurous and jump up and dance on the chairs or tables (I told you Greeks like to show off...!)

When people are dancing, you can buy flower heads (one basket can be very expensive!) which you use to throw at people who are dancing or singing as a way of showing appreciation or catching someone's attention! Depending on the bouzoukia you go to, some places allow you to buy stacks of plates and smash them on the dancefloor as well! Watch out for plate fragments flying all over the place though, it can get dangerous!


There is great fun to be had at the bouzoukia, and they can usually go into the small hours of the morning! 


What are your experiences of the bouzoukia and can you think of anything I may have left out? Let me know in the comments below!

Greek night - A non-Greek's experience

When non-Greeks go to "Greek nights", they expect to have the authentic Greek experience. Unfortunately it's more like a show that is put on for them. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the experience you get is really fun but erm, hardly authentic!


You get an impressive meze of food, of course. The normal meze course is about 7 courses, so I'm not sure you will get ALL of it where you go, but it depends on the place. The tables are laid out in rows with a dancefloor in the middle and a band. 

The entertainment is the funniest bit! You will probably be given an enjoyable display of plate smashing, a belly dancer and some Greek dancing. Then they will grab people up to join in the "dancing" This is what always cracks up the Greeks! As much as we love to see non-Greeks enjoying themselves and making the effort to take part (as we know, everyone wants to be Greek anyway) the dancing they get them to do is hilarious! 

Hands on shoulders, step kick, step kick, step kick, step kick and repeat until the music stops. Sometimes they bouzouki player feels adventurous and will pick up the beat meaning you gotta kick those legs faster, but that's all you get to do! I love that non Greeks leave feeling they know how to Greek dance after that experience! 

Come 11pm you're truly exhausted and stuffed that you head on home, dreaming of living in Greece where you get to eat loads and dance every day...

If you go to a real bouzoukia night, as opposed to a taverna (which is more of a restaurant with some entertainment) it's a slightly different experience! For one, it doesn't even get close to getting started until after midnight! I'll save that for another post, so stay tuned for that!

So, I want to know, what are your experience of "Greek nights"? Leave them in the comments below!

Greek Dancing, opa!

OK let's start with some fun Greek dancing... 

Now, Greek dancing is very special and unique (as is the entire Greek culture, of course!) There are a variety of different dances and we have lovely funny little costumes we wear... It often varies depending on whether you are in Greece or Cyprus. In fact, before I go any further, if you are a non Greek, or a 'xeni', please get it out of your head right now that Cyprus is a Greek island. It is NOT. It is a separate country. 

OK now that we have that out of the way, here are some pictures of the dancing costumes. The first is one for the boys:

Yes, before you ask, they are in skirt type garments haha oh, and the arm and leg waving is a common dance move... just in case you were wondering whether they were about to cartwheel or something; they're not. Although they do manage to do some impressive high acrobatic leg kicks!

OK and for the fetching ladies:

... that pose is pretty much how they dance; hand on the hip and a few little dainty steps here and there. They don't do much but it wouldn't be the same without them there! Some of the dances actually tell a story and are actually very interesting but I may delve into all that in another post. There is just so much to say!

Another thing you need to know about dancing is that the Greeks always like to put on a show. So you may come across men showing off by balancing drinks on their heads... 

Amazing indeed.. Even that dude on the left is astounded! I've even seen people picking up tables with their teeth while someone is sitting on it... pretty cool stuff!

OK and to finish off and perhaps leading me into the next post maybe touching on weddings... I'll leave you with this food for thought (ooh or shall I write about Greek food next... hmmm)

Either way, check out this wedding picture. This epitomizes the importance of dance in the Greek culture. Not only do we seriously enjoy a boogie, but it becomes a huge celebration where money is thrown at the person dancing and often stuck onto a sweaty forehead...! Oh and lots of "opa" shouting at every opportunity!

NB. In case you're wondering, that money goes as a tip to the band, unless some cheeky little kids (or adults?!) run around scooping it up...!


What are your experiences of Greek dancing?