Zeimbekiko dance

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Category: Music

Published on Friday, 27 July 2018 08:07

Today's cultural contribution is about a famous, traditional dance from Greece.
It is called "Ζειμπεκικο" as the Zimbekians, a small group of militia, invented this dance.
There is also the theory, that it derives from the ancient Greek word zei and bekos.
Zei means zeus, while bekos stands for body.

Combining those words you can interpret, that the dancer of the Zeimbekiko becomes one with the divine.
Furthermore the term "eagles dance" is used, because the arm posture during the dance quite resembles the wings of this animal.
The "Ζειμπεκικο" is considered to be the most beloved dance in Greece.

Originally it was supposed to be danced by two armed men, whereas nowadays usually one single man performs.
The main goal is to express the feelings of the performing individual, which is why dancers are often at least slightly intoxicated.
In more recent years the meaning of the dance developed in so far, that a good performance makes you a real man.
Therefore it is often danced on weddings.

The Zeimbekiko has a difficult rhythm, namely the 9/8 tact and no concrete steps.
As you also have a restricted area in which you can move it is quite difficult to perform.

Most of the versions are played with the "Βουζουκι" a traditional Greek plucking instrument.
The Zeimbekiko you will listen to in the following is called "ΤΟ ΖΕΙΜΠΕΚΙΚΟ ΤΗΣ ΕΥΔΟΚΙΑΣ".
It is one of the Zeimbekikos, which does not have lyrics at all.
The reason for this is, that one did not want to destroy the atmosphere transmitted by the music through adding lyrics.

I hope I gave you an impression of this in my opinion unique and beautiful Greek dance.
I invite you to try it yourself.