Cyprus

Location

Cypriots feel deep pride in their cultural heritage, which spans more than 9,000 years of history. With such a long history and a strong multicultural presence, this is completely natural. Cypriot folk art reveals a wealth of cultural elements that, despite the conquerors and difficulties, has remained alive, authentic and valuable to this day. It has been and remains an integral part of Hellenism.

One of the main characteristics of Cypriot dances is the separation of men and women. Mixed dances are rare, which makes them almost unique worldwide. This separation is related to the strict morals of the time, as it was considered inappropriate for women to dance with jumps, sitting, strong body and chest movements, foot stamping or finger snapping.

At the same time, the island was at times a target for pirates and conquerors, due to its strategic geographical location. The raiders often kidnapped women, abused them or sold them in slave markets. For their protection, the men kept them isolated in houses, which had internal courtyards and high perimeter walls, so that they were not visible to passers-by — an element that can still be observed in Cyprus today.

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Dances

Explore traditional Greek dances