National dances of the Caucasus. National dances of the Caucasus Ensemble Caucasian dances school 2120
People have danced and dance always and in all countries. The love of expressing oneself in dance has always been natural and had a national identity. Dance harmonizes a person and increases the efficiency of his thinking.
Dances of the peoples of the North Caucasus
The names “North Caucasian” dances and “mountain” dances are a generalized concept of folk dances of the region, which are widely perceived as fast, fiery (mainly male) dances, demonstrating courage, masculinity and dexterity.
The peoples of the North Caucasus are strongly connected to each other by cultural relations, but often also genetically. Historically, they have a commonality, since over the centuries there has been an interpenetration of cultures, life and way of life of the tribes. These processes have always been reflected in folklore, including dance culture. In choreography, the processes of mutual influence occurred more intensely than in other genres of folk art, since the language of dance is international and there is no language barrier.
A moving circular dance is popular among many peoples of the North Caucasus, but it is called differently for everyone. If the Karachais call it “Stemey”, then the Dagestanis call it “Lezginka”, and the Balkars call it “Tegerek tepseu”. Absolutely the same dance choreography among Kabardians and Circassians is called “Islamey”, among the Adygeis - “Islamiy”, Abkhazians like “Apsua”, Chechens and Ingush also “Lezginka”, Ossetians “Zilga Kaft”, sometimes “Tymbyl Kaft”.
Many variations of the general dance have similar features, such as raising on toes, throwing out arms, and the dancers have similar clothes, props and decorations; the musical accompaniment and melody of the dance are common. The slow lyrical dances of the peoples of the North Caucasus also have historical similarities. The dances of the Karachais, Kabardins and Circassians are similar to each other: “Tyuz Tepseu”, “Syuzyulup” and “Kafa”, respectively, the Adyghe “Zafak” and the Ossetian “Khonga Kaft”. His girl and boy dance at a distance, without touching each other.
It is easy to get confused in the number of names of another common dance, which has nine names among the Balkars and Karachais: “Khychauman”, “Zhortul”, “Nikola”, “Abezekh”, “Abzek”, “Marako”, “Kysyr”, “Zhia” and "Jezok'a." Its general name is “Under the Hand.” To the nine we will add four more names: “Uj pu” and “Uj hesht” (“Under the arm” of the Kabardians and Circassians), “Uj-khurai” (the dance of the Adyghe people) and “Simd” (as it is called by the Ossetians).
The greatest choreographic community is found among peoples who are most closely related geographically and genetically. These are Balkars, Karachais and Adygs. Noticeable analogies can be identified between the dance creativity of Ossetians and Ingush, Ossetians and Balkars, Ossetians and Karachais, Balkars and Kabardins, Circassians and Karachais, Ossetians and Adygs, as well as Balkars and Svans. Examples of analogies: Balkar “Altyn Hardar” and Ossetian “Khordar”, Balkar “Tepana” and Ossetian “Cepana”, Balkar “Apsaty” and Ossetian “Afsat”.
Since the Balkars, Karachais and Ossetians had close contacts and mutual influence for a long time, choreographic co-creation followed the path of creative assimilation and creative processing, and not along the path of mechanical borrowing.
Today, the national choreographic tradition of the North Caucasus is widely known and revered throughout the world. Since the nineteenth century, interest in the national dances of the highlanders has not waned, and in the twentieth century it was even significantly strengthened by Soviet cinema, television and major international musical events. We know not only the restaurant “Lezginka”, but also “Naurskaya”, “Bazaar”, “Shamil’s Dance” and “Polka Oira”. In addition, the national choreographic art of the North Caucasus, namely national dance schools, today, with the help of the language of dance, forms the tolerance of people of different countries towards each other, increasing their interest in studying the culture of the region.
Top photo courtesy of http://vestikavkaza.ru
The Moscow school of Caucasian dances KavkazDance is an Empire that unites people of different nationalities who are obsessed with one desire - to dance. Everyone dances here and everyone dances: Lezginka, Armenian, Kabardian, Ossetian, Georgian dances and much more.
Dances could also be searched under the following names:
Caucasus dance, Caucasian dance
Additional information provided by the school:
Our dance school in Moscow offers two types of classes: group and individual.
Group classes involve one-hour* training in groups of an average of 10 to 20 people. This allows you to pay maximum attention to each student.
* Students of the “intermediate” level study for 1.5 hours, “advanced” - 2 hours.
In addition to group classes, KavkazDance school teachers give individual lessons for those who, for example, have a wedding in a week. Believe me, this happened! Those who want to hone their skills, learn something new, or have missed several lessons and fallen behind, also study individually. Individual lessons are the most effective method for quickly achieving the best dance results. One individual lesson lasts on average 60 minutes and is comparable in effectiveness to 3-4 group lessons.
