The History of Armenian International Dance
Armenian dance gained international renown during the middle part of the 20th century, but its origins go back to the pre-Christian era. A portion of the Armenian culture was lost during the diaspora (a scattering of an ethnic group from its original homeland). What remains, however, is a testament to the rich dance tradition of the Armenian people.
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Roots
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Armenian dance has its roots in the celebration of life, death, and everyday pastoral tasks. Men's dances often depict hunting or military actions, with leaps and jumps exhibiting raw power. Women's dances celebrate activities such as flower-gathering and field work, and exemplify the Armenian woman's modesty and gentility. The feminine routines tend to be fluid and graceful, with bewitching hand movements, while the male routines employ frenetic action.
Types of Armenian Dances
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Among the most popular dances are:
Tamzara: A traditional folk dance, it may be performed by a couple, by a man and two women or by groups. Each dancer has his arm around the waist of the partner. The dance consists of a series of pivots and forward and backward motions.
Halay: This dance was originally performed by men of the Kharpert district. It is an energetic dance that includes crouches, exaggerated flourishes and a lively tempo.
Abarani Bar: This celebrates the wheat harvest.
Big Bar: A sole woman's dance depicting the task of spinning yarn into carpet.
Kotchari: This emulates the interaction between male goats, with butts and jumps.
Candle dance: Traditionally performed as the last dance at a wedding. Once the candle is blown out, the party disperses.
Laz Bar. From the Black Sea region, the movements of the dance resemble the swimming of a fish.
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Preservation of History
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Efforts to preserve the dance culture of Armenia are widespread, but some Armenians express concern that modern routines have altered the pastoral nature of the dances. In Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, a few dance ensembles and schools create new steps that are easier to choreograph for stage production. These dances often bear little resemblance to their original counterparts. Yet many argue that change is inevitable, and that the dances these ensembles create form a part of the continuing mosaic of Armenian heritage.
International Promotion
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On May 28, 2005, about 250,000 people encircled Mount Aragats, the highest peak in Armenia, to perform a traditional Armenian dance. The event was designed to promote Armenia's culture and sovereignty. The dancers formed a ring around the 13,418-foot peak and danced for about 15 minutes. The Armenian president, Robert Kocharian, danced alongside many other ministry officials.
Armenian Dance Today
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Many dance ensembles keep alive the traditions of Armenia by performing throughout the United States and abroad. Among the more well-known are The Armenian Dance Ensemble of Washington, D.C., and the Antranig Dance Ensemble of New York.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit folk dancers image by Mats Tooming from Fotolia.com
