Assyrians dancing khigga

Khigga is the style of Assyrian folk dance in which multiple dancers hold each other's hands and form a line. There are multiple foot patterns that dancers perform.

Khigga (Assyrian: "ܚܓܐ", Greek: Χαλάϊ, Kurdish: Dilan, Turkish: Halay, Zazaish: Gowend) is a popular dance in the Middle East. It has been a symbol for the tempestuous way of life in Anatolia, its place of origin, since the times of Assyrian empire.^[1][2]

Khigga is traditionally danced with music played on the zurna, supported by a davul, but in the recent years, electronic instruments have started to replace them. The khigga has spread from Anatolia to many other regions, such as Armenia and the Balkans. It is a national dance in Turkey and Armenia^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Khigga in weddings

In many Assyrian weddings, as well as parties and other various social gatherings, people dance khigga for hours. Every region has its own style and forms.

[edit] Yalekhta

The head of the khigga line, referred to as "resha d'khigga" (ܪܝܫܐ ܕܚܓܐ), usually dances with a yalekhta (ܝܠܚܬܐ), or piece of cloth with beads and bells added to the sides so it jingles when shaken. A Yalekhta can have many different designs on the piece of cloth. A "copala" (ܟܘܦܠܐ), or decorated cane, is also used at many Assyrian weddings.

[edit] See also

• Assyrian folk dance
• Turkish dance
• Iranian dance
• Turkmen dance
• Greek dance
• Bulgarian dance
• Albanian dance
• Kurdish Dance
• Georgian dance
• Kochari
• Hasapiko
• Dabke
• Hora (dance)
• Kolo (dance)
• Horon
• Arcan (dance)
• Arkan (dance)
• Syrtos
• Ballo
• Ballos

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Derik Saçın Örmezler
• Hele yâr zalim yâr
• Huseyin Turan - Agri Dagindan Uctum and Karanfil Deste Gider

This dance-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Assyrian-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Turkey-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Albania-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Greece-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Iran-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Armenia-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Turkmenistan-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Iraq-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Syria-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e