- Tsamiko: (Hara) - One of the most common and famous dances in Greece, the Tsamikos is also known as the “Kleftikos” since it was a much loved and particularly danced by the klephts or brigands of the early 19th century. Originally it was a dance exclusively for men. Today it has become known to all Greeks and is danced by both men and women. Its name came from the Tsamides who in the 17th and 18th centuries inhabited the mountainous area of Tsamourias in the province of Thesprotia, Epiros. The Tsamikos is a dance requiring an erect posture, evident in its imposing and majestic rhythms. Its steps vary from region to region ranging from 12 to 15. The first dancer, who leads the dance, performs various spectacular figures depending on his current feelings and his bodily stamina, while the rest follow him, performing simple steps. The dancers form an open circle with their feet splayed and hold each other by the wrist or a handkerchief.
- Hassaposerviko: (Hara) - This lively, fast-paced dance, coming from the islands and coastal regions of Greece, is a present day favorite throughout the country.The steps are equal in time and lively and they allow many variations. As the dance progresses the steps become much quicker.
- Cretan Suite, Pentozali: (Doxa) - This dance originates from Crete, the largest island in Greece. It’s introduction starts with the slow steps of the “sigano” dance, and then switches into the livelier Pentozali. The name of this dance comes from “pente” and “zali”, meaning five step dance.
- Cretan Suite, Siganos: (Doxa) - This dance most likely originated from the Iraklion area of Crete. It is a very old dance which is believed to date back to Minoan times, and to signify the labyrinth that Theseaus had to go through. It was performed in front of the church as the first dance the groom would dance after the wedding ceremony with the older men of the village, and signified the obstacles in life that the groom would overcome. The dance was originally danced with hands crossed in front, but today the shoulder hold is more popular.
- Cretan Suite, Malevisiotikos: (Doxa) - This dance is the fastest and the most difficult dance from the island of Crete. Its name comes from the region of Malevyzi. It has also been traced back to Minoan times. The steps are small and rapid, and the dance requires a great deal of stamina.
- Yiar-Yiar: (Romiosini) - A lively dance from the island of Samothraki. The music is lighthearted, a feature of island dances in general. The dance line moves both to the right and the left.
- Platanisios: (Romiosini) -An island version of the panhellenic syrto. This is a wedding syrto from the island of Samothraki. The lilting music is reminiscent of the waves of the Aegean Sea. Tripati: Tripati, also called Doktili and Daktirdi, is a dance found in various forms throughout the Balkans. In Greece it is danced mainly in Macedonia and Thrace. This dance, as is characteristic of many dances of this region, is danced in a closed circle.
- Trigona: (Romiosini) - Trigona is a dance from Anatoliki Romelia, a region where Greeks have lived for 3000 years. Anatoliki Romelia is in present day northern Macedonia and southern Bulgaria. As the dancers move in a circle, dancers break out of the circle, dancing in free form in the center or as couples.
- Kalamatianos/Syrtos: (Lefteria) - This is by far the most popular dance in Greece. It is also thought by some to be the most ancient and only panhellenic dance. The latter are evident in the depiction of the dance on pots and wall paintings which show some of the typical step and figures. The fact that the dancers hold each other by the wrist helps us to reach the conclusion that the kalamatianos is related in some way to one of the ancient dances of the Greeks. This is the most popular version, which is that which is found in the Peloponisos. The style of the dance, whether it is jumpy or smooth, fast or slow, has crossing steps in front or is straight, depends on the music, and the style of the individual dancer. It consists of 12 basic steps and it is danced simultaneously by all the dancers in a circle. It gives the opportunity for the leading dancer to improvise a number of figures. It is danced by all and may be led by either men or women.
- Gaida (Girls): (Lefteria) - The name of this dance is also the name of the bagpipe type instrument which is prominent in the music accompanying the dance. It is found throughout Macedonia and is danced primarily by men, although in some regions it is danced by women as well. This is a womenis version of the dance. The music starts out slow, then gradually increases tempo until it becomes quite fast.
- Gaida (Boys): (Lefteria) - The menis version of the gaida is characterized by more variations than the womenis dance, and bigger steps. It was danced by the men before going to war, showing their bravery and prowess. and was known as a courtship dance.
- Thracian Suite, Pappisios (Adaman Palikari): (Doxa) - This song is so old that no one knows its exact origins. It is called iPappisiosi because it was sung by the old men (“pappou”, meaning Grandfather). The theory is that the song itself is about an old man reminiscing about when he was a young warrior going off to fight in a battle. He expected to learn about weapons and fighting, but instead he realized that love and peace dominated over war.
- Thracian Suite, Zonarathikos: (Doxa) - One of the most famous dances of Northeastern Greece, or Thrace, its name derives from the initial form of holding hands; from the “zoni” or belt.
- Thracian Suite, Syrto Hassapiko: (Doxa) - This song tells of a young girl from a close-knit village who married and moved away to start a family in another, far-away village. The girls dancing this dance portray this young girlsi circle of friends who mourn her absence.
- Thracian Suite, Stis Tris: (Doxa) - A dance from northern Thrace, danced by both men and women. It is a very fast and jumpy dance. The name “Stis Tris” comes from “tria” or three in Greek, referring to the three groups of four steps in the dance.
- Thracian Suite, Synkathistos: (Doxa) - Along with the Zonarathikos, the Synkathisto is another well- known dance from Thrace. It is a scattered dance, without the strict formation of the line. It was often used to accompany a couple to church for their wedding and was known as a courtship dance.
- Zeimbekikos: Zeimbekides” were Greeks from Thrace who migrated to Proussa and Aidini. They consisted of a select social class from which Turks called ‘derveides’ enlisted an armed force that formed the local gendarmerie. They never forgot their roots and the traditions of their original homelands and indeed preserved their local Thracian folk costumes.In 1883, the Zeimbekides revolted and in an uneven confrontation with the regular Turkish army were decimated. However from the memory of their distant homeland what survived and still exists triumphantly till today is the the Zeimbekiko dance. Originally it was an entirely male dance, slow and heavy. It often included displays of sword fighting and had it's roots in an ancient Thracian dance. In Asia Minor these old Thracian rhythms were eventually played on the local string instruments. Thus the music developed following the local colours of Aia Minor and became quite distinctive. The Zeimbekikos dance also became diversified though it retained its basic characteristics , particularly its unique and distinctive 9/8 rhythm. The Zeimbekikos dance relies on improvisation, but the dancer must know the traditional steps and be able to follow the characteristic rhythm.
- Hasapikos: Hasapikos or syrtaki, as the French later named the dance, has it origins somewhere in Byzantium. Experts, such as Elisabeth Senie, of Greek origins and a researcher of ancient Greek dances who lived in Constantinople in the 18th Century, claim that the hasapikos is a descendent of the so-called “slaughter” dance, danced in Byzantium by the guild of butchers. It became famous from 1955 onwards from the many films it appeared in, making it internationally renown. It is danced in a group by both men and women. Its figures are highly varied making it spectacular but quite difficult.
Compiled by: Anna Stratis and others