Dance is woven into the fabric of Turkish society. Unlike many cultures where dance is reserved for celebratory events like weddings, in Turkey, you’ll find people dancing at protests, during national holidays, and even political campaigns. This intrinsic connection to movement and rhythm highlights dance as a fundamental expression of Turkish identity.
Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, recently dancing on stage in Trabzon exemplifies this cultural norm, where spontaneous dance feels perfectly natural and embraced by the public. However, Turkish Dance is far from unstructured. It’s not merely casual swaying; it’s characterized by form, tradition, and deep-rooted historical significance.
While regional variations exist, the core movements of Turkish dances are often passed down through generations, carrying historical narratives and cultural meanings. This article explores three prominent styles of Turkish dance that represent the country’s diverse cultural landscape.
1. Halay: Unity and Tradition in Line
The Halay is arguably the most widespread Turkish dance, particularly prevalent in the eastern and southeastern regions of Turkey. Characterized by its formation of a long line, sometimes curving into a semi or full circle, the Halay is inclusive, welcoming an unlimited number of participants. Dancers link hands or fingers, creating a human chain that moves in a counter-clockwise direction, executing synchronized steps to the rhythm of the music.
Men and women can participate together, and as the line becomes more attuned to the steps, the tempo often increases, building collective energy. While similarities might be drawn to Greek Sirtaki or Arabic Dabke, Turkish people firmly believe in the Halay’s unique origins, tracing its roots back to ancient Turkish mythology and shamanistic traditions of Central Asia.
Legends and shamanic rituals of Central Asia mention dances in circular or semi-circular formations around a fire, echoing the Halay’s structure. Even today, during holidays and seasonal festivals like Nowruz or Hidrellez, Turks continue the tradition of dancing Halay around a fire, connecting with ancient customs.
The term “Halay” itself is believed to originate from “Al-Hal,” signifying “fire” and “society,” further reinforcing the dance’s connection to communal gatherings and ancient rituals.
A vibrant Halay dance during a national holiday celebration in a Turkish village, showcasing the dance’s communal spirit around a fire. (MEE/Sara Tor)
Within the Halay, the “halaybasi,” or leader, holds a crucial role. This respected individual, well-versed in the dance, dictates the steps and pace. A key accessory of the halaybasi is a handkerchief, waved rhythmically to guide the dancers and maintain synchronization. This handkerchief is not just a tool for direction; it’s believed to have links to shamanistic rituals where colored ribbons, flags, and axes were waved to ward off negative spirits.
Music is indispensable to the Halay, with the davul (drum) and zurna (pipe) being the essential instruments. The zurna’s presence in Halay music dates back to the 14th century, while the davul drum has even older origins. Prehistoric cave paintings across Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan depict figures in Halay formations with a drum, highlighting the davul’s central role throughout history.
The halaybasi moves the line in time with the davul’s beat and often breaks away to perform solo improvisations with the drum, adding dynamic variations to the performance.
2. Horon: The Energetic Dance of the Black Sea
The Horon is the signature dance of Turkey’s northern Black Sea region, a cherished tradition recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021. Accompanied by the kemence, a small stringed instrument, or the tulum, a type of bagpipe, the Horon is structured in three distinct sections. Dancers interlock hands, and a leader guides transitions between sections by shouting commands.
The dance begins slowly, with forward steps and twists, gradually accelerating in tempo. As the pace increases, dancers raise their hands and straighten their posture. The second section follows with lowered hands, a bent back, and more intricate footwork involving sideways, forward, and backward movements, accompanied by shoulder shimmying.
Women in vibrant traditional costumes participate in a Horon dance, showcasing the energetic and visually rich Black Sea folk tradition. (MEE/ Akçaabat Belediyesi)
The final segment intensifies with an even faster tempo, rapid shoulder movements, and foot stamping until the music concludes, culminating in a high-energy display. The Horon is rich in symbolism. Raised hands are interpreted as a display of strength and bravery, while bending or crouching symbolizes resting field workers. The rapid shoulder shimmying and fast tempo are thought to represent the turbulent Black Sea waves and the darting movements of anchovy, a fish abundant in the region.
Horon can be performed by men and women, separately or together, often in traditional attire. Women’s costumes typically include colorful shirts and jackets, headscarves, and long, vibrant skirts worn over shalwar trousers. Men’s attire is predominantly black and white, adorned with accessories such as belts with leather strips for hunting gear, pocket watches with chains, and “muska,” triangular amulets containing prayers for protection.
The origins of Horon are debated, with some tracing it to the Greek “xoros,” a circular dance. Others suggest Genoese medieval settlements and link it to the French “Carole” or “Horol.” A Turkish origin theory connects it to “horom,” meaning a stook of corn, suggesting the circular formation mirrors tied corn stalks. Regardless of its precise origins, Horon is a vital part of Black Sea culture, embraced by all generations. It was also the dance style chosen by Mayor Imamoglu during his election campaign, demonstrating its contemporary relevance.
3. Zeybek: The Dance of Heroes in the West
In western Turkey, Zeybek reigns supreme. This dance, choreographed to embody strength and heroism, stands apart from Halay and Horon. Zeybek dancers perform individually, without hand-linking, emphasizing personal expression and prowess. Arms are extended outward and then raised, followed by slow, deliberate steps and a sequence of crouching to touch a knee to the ground before straightening up. These movements are repeated in a circular path, synchronized to the slow rhythm of the davul drum and zurna pipe.
While Zeybek’s origins are debated—with potential links to ancient Greece or Europe—the most accepted theory points to the 16th-century Ottoman Empire. This period of political and social unrest saw the emergence of “zeybeks,” unofficial soldiers who protected their villages, led by an “efe.” The dance is believed to be named after and represent these heroic figures, hence its strong and noble character.
A Zeybek dancer captured mid-performance, demonstrating the characteristic movement of bending to touch a knee to the ground, embodying strength and heroism. (MEE/Sara Tor)
Historically, Zeybek was primarily a male dance due to its warrior origins. Traditional male costumes include short, jodhpur-style trousers, a fez decorated with crocheted flowers symbolizing mountains, a tassel, a silk cummerbund for tucking in a gun, and long black boots. Women began participating in Zeybek in 1916, when physical education teacher Selim Sirri Tarcan, known as “Sari Zeybek,” adapted the dance to symbolize the love between a man and a woman. In 1925, Tarcan and a student performed this adapted Zeybek at a conference attended by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the Turkish President at the time. Ataturk, impressed by the performance, reportedly advocated for women’s inclusion in Zeybek in social settings, broadening its appeal and participation.
