Turkey has a very ancient folk dance tradition, which varies from region to region, each dance being colourful, rhythmic, elegant and stylish. They have a special dance for each special occasion, from weddings and celebrations held for young men leaving for military service, to national and religious festivals, or local festivities. Turkish weddings, are the most common place to see folk dances.
Their sophisticated culture is reflected in the variety of their dances. The dominant dance forms are types of line dance. There are many different types of folk dances performed in various ways in Turkey, and these reflect the cultural structure of each region.
The Bar in Erzurum province
The dance is performed by groups in the open. Turkish folk music is applied with extremely different and interesting structures in this dance.
The Halay in the East and Southeast
This dance is performed to a large extent in the Eastern, South-eastern and Central Anatolia and it is one of the most striking dance. It is the symbol of creation and originality of the folk. You may experience all the measures and rhythmic elements of the Turkish folk music in the Halay melodies.
The Hora in Thrace
This is a kind of wedding music with melodic and rhythmic structure and with a fast performance facing one another with different cultural structure of the region.
The Horon in the Black Sea
Very different from the folk dances in other parts of Turkey with its formation of tempo, rhythm and measure, is the Horon. These dances demand exceptional speed, agility and skill in the dancers. The dancers link arms and quiver to the vibrations of the Kemence, a primitive type of violin.
Kasik Oyunu in the Konya
Kasik Oyunu is performed from Konya to Silifke and consists of gaily dressed male and female dancers clicking out the dance rhythm with a pair of wooden spoons in each hand.
Kilic Kalkan in the Bursa
Kilic Kalkan of Bursa represents the Ottoman conquest of the city. It is performed by men only, dressed in early Ottoman battle dress, who dance to the sound of clashing swords and shields without music.
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