Peloponnese

Location

The Peloponnese is also known by the names Morea or Moria. It is mainly a mountainous region, as almost two-thirds of its area is covered by mountain ranges. Its name comes from the mythical king Pelops, after whom the Peloponnese was named, while in antiquity it was considered an island and not a peninsula.

The content of the songs of the region is varied and includes revolutionary, kleftiko, historical, border, love and songs full of hope. The kleftiko song appeared during the period of Turkish rule, after the 16th century, in a time of intense revolutionary activity of the kleptiko and armatolos. Through these songs, their exploits, heroism and struggles are praised, as well as their vision for freedom, while at the same time the hardships, deprivations and difficulties of life in the mountains are mentioned.

The Moraitiko song is a creation of the people themselves, of anonymous but charismatic creators, and accompanies dances such as the Kalamatianos, the Tsamikos, the Syrtos and many more. Today, a particularly well-known form is the elegy, with moving lyrics, heavy rhythm and melodies that evoke strong emotions.

Despite its long history, the Peloponnese does not have a large number of traditional dances, a fact due to a contradictory cultural reality, which ranges from the conservatism of isolated areas to intense modernization.

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Dances

Explore traditional Greek dances