Cyprus-Forum.com

[Oracle]

Anyway don't modern vrages just slip on and off without unwrapping ....

Here's a nice selection:

[Natty]

Brilliant videos! I thought this thread had died so I'm glad it's been revived...

I especially love the female Karsilamas video that TC posted, it's one of my favourite Cypriot dances. I went to a dance held at my mothers village this summer and all the village girls got up and danced it, it was great to watch…

Wow Natty! Where have you been hiding girl? Long time no see/hear/read!

Top secret government business, that's all I'll say...

Or even six weeks spent in Cyprus at my grandmothers house in the village where there was a distinct lack of internet connection...

Anyway, how are you bubbles? Everything well I hope?

[SSBubbles]

Brilliant videos! I thought this thread had died so I'm glad it's been revived...

I especially love the female Karsilamas video that TC posted, it's one of my favourite Cypriot dances. I went to a dance held at my mothers village this summer and all the village girls got up and danced it, it was great to watch…

Wow Natty! Where have you been hiding girl? Long time no see/hear/read!

Top secret government business, that's all I'll say...

Or even six weeks spent in Cyprus at my grandmothers house in the village where there was a distinct lack of internet connection...

Anyway, how are you bubbles? Everything well I hope?

Okay, I get the message! Bet you had a fantastic time!

All okay this end, cheers Natty, just mega busy at the moment, hence my lack of forum participation!

[T_C]

Welcome back Natty!!

Just found this video, no dancing, just pictures and a great Cypriot song.



Wish the GCs could understand some of these songs sometimes...

[T_C]

Quick question. I always thought 'antikristos' was the proper Greek name for karsilama. I've just read something that says otherwise. If so whats the difference?

[T_C]

Another thing, why isn't there any website with accurate information about Cypriot dances?

Couldn't we create a page on wikipedia for Cypriot dances? I know theres a Turkish Cypriot one but it's not exactly accurate either. I don't know how to use wikipedia though.

Even on Kypros.org the information lacking in knowledge. For instance...

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".

"first, second, third, fourth, fifth"?

I think they're talking about the Cypriot suite which consists of the protos, defteros, tritos, tetartos and balos.

On yet another GC folk dance website it's the same...

Kartjilamades, men's face-to-face dances.

There exist the 1st-2nd-3rd-4th men's kartjilamades.

They used to be performed by two men placed competitively opposite each other. ¨Kartji¨ means opposite. This is where they get their original name.

In reality, the dance was a rivalry between the two dancers. It was a contest of bravery, youthful vigor and artistic merit.

The men's face-to-face dances are very lively. In the third ¨kartjilamas¨, known also as ¨tchiatisma¨ - which means improvised rhyming - the dancers get the opportunity to display both their dancing and singing skills.

There is also a fifth men's face-to-face dance, or ¨balos¨ as it is called, which is combined with a trailing song, in oriental style and with an improvised melody.

Since 1960 these dances have been performed synchronously by a group of dancers.

http://www.vasilitzia.org.cy/eng/about.htm

Ok they got some of it right....but since when was the karsilama a dance of bravery? I thought it was supposed to be a dance of joy between two people?

And as for¨tchiatisma"
I gather they meant 'çatışma' which means CLASHING not "improvised rhyming"

Theres also all the dances we use from other cultures that we've Cypriofied over the years. They deserve mentioning too...such as the glass balancing dance and the arabiyes which all originate from Egypt.
The Kalamatianos from Greece, the Zeybeks from Anatolia, the Karutsari and Arabaci dances from Romania, the Sousta, Melon, Mantra which all come from Crete. Also from (northern) Greece is the Servikos and the Jehikos.

Plus theres still the sickle dance, the elek dance, the butchers dance...and more....

I might have to try out Wikipedia for myself, could I just log in and open a page? I don't even know how it works. I'll have to try after work tomorrow, must go bed now, it's 3am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[denizaksulu]

Another thing, why isn't there any website with accurate information about Cypriot dances?

Couldn't we create a page on wikipedia for Cypriot dances? I know theres a Turkish Cypriot one but it's not exactly accurate either. I don't know how to use wikipedia though.

Even on Kypros.org the information lacking in knowledge. For instance...

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".

"first, second, third, fourth, fifth"?

I think they're talking about the Cypriot suite which consists of the protos, defteros, tritos, tetartos and balos.

On yet another GC folk dance website it's the same...

Kartjilamades, men's face-to-face dances.

There exist the 1st-2nd-3rd-4th men's kartjilamades.

They used to be performed by two men placed competitively opposite each other. ¨Kartji¨ means opposite. This is where they get their original name.

In reality, the dance was a rivalry between the two dancers. It was a contest of bravery, youthful vigor and artistic merit.

The men's face-to-face dances are very lively. In the third ¨kartjilamas¨, known also as ¨tchiatisma¨ - which means improvised rhyming - the dancers get the opportunity to display both their dancing and singing skills.

There is also a fifth men's face-to-face dance, or ¨balos¨ as it is called, which is combined with a trailing song, in oriental style and with an improvised melody.

Since 1960 these dances have been performed synchronously by a group of dancers.

http://www.vasilitzia.org.cy/eng/about.htm

Ok they got some of it right....but since when was the karsilama a dance of bravery? I thought it was supposed to be a dance of joy between two people?

And as for¨tchiatisma"
I gather they meant 'çatışma' which means CLASHING not "improvised rhyming"

Theres also all the dances we use from other cultures that we've Cypriofied over the years. They deserve mentioning too...such as the glass balancing dance and the arabiyes which all originate from Egypt.
The Kalamatianos from Greece, the Zeybeks from Anatolia, the Karutsari and Arabaci dances from Romania, the Sousta, Melon, Mantra which all come from Crete. Also from (northern) Greece is the Servikos and the Jehikos.

Plus theres still the sickle dance, the elek dance, the butchers dance...and more....

I might have to try out Wikipedia for myself, could I just log in and open a page? I don't even know how it works. I'll have to try after work tomorrow, must go bed now, it's 3am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all that TC. You have provided a mine of information re: Cypriot dances. Prior to 1963 on Cyprus TV, programmes existed explaining the different stages of sirto and karsilama. We would watch rivetingly. We would always find something to criticise. I was intrigued by the Oriental style music played by the GC musicians. Something they must have adopted from the Ottomans, but better not attract O's attention here.

[T_C]

Well theres no denying the influences. They continue even to this day...I found these shocking compilations on youtube the other day, check it out.

[denizaksulu]

What happened? Videos no longer available. Drat that.

[T_C]

I think they've disabled playing them outside youtube, click on the links...