Kalamatianos (kah-lah-mah-tee-ah-NOS) is a very popular pan-Hellenic dance. You will see it danced at every social gathering, particularly in Greek communities of the diaspora (Greeks living outside of Greece).
Profile
The Kalamatiano is a celebratory dance, and is often the first dance to occur during Greek weddings, baptisms, and other happy occasions. As such, the dance has a joyous, lively quality in performance. Dancers maintain a straight posture, a bounce in their step, and a smile on their face.
A Brief History
While the dance is named for Kalamata, its city of origin, records of very similar dances have been found in other regions dating back to ancient times. Homer referred to such a dance in the Iliad, and Theokritos referred to it in his account of the marriage of Helen and Meneleus. It gained popularity in the 19th century, and was henceforth danced throughout Greece.
In those days, men and women would perform this dance separately, but today this is no longer the case. One tradition that has continued from ancient times is the use of a handkerchief that is held between the leader and the second dancer in the line.
The Syrtos
The Kalamatianos falls under a category of Greek dance called syrtos (seer-TOHS), which refers to the Greek dances that have a smoother, flowing movement. These dances are often bouncy and upbeat.
Formation
Kalamatiano is danced in an open circle formation, by both men and women. Dancers hold hands comfortably at shoulder height. The leader of the dance typically extends his free hand to the side, while the person at the end of the line will place their hand on hip or in a fist on the small of the back.
Steps
The Kalamatiano follows a simple slow-quick-quick-slow 12 step rhythm. See Figure 2 for a visual guide to the Kalamatiano dance.
Essentially the dance is a jumpy walk, with steps 1, 4, 7, and 10 being held twice as long as the rest of the steps. If a beginner, try the dance first by doing all of the steps traveling towards the right. When comfortable with the rhythm, attempt the dance according to the image at the end of the article.
Fygoures (Improvisations)
Fygoures are variations of the natural step of the dance. The fygoures in Kalamatianos are usually executed by the leader (the first person in line), but can be done by the entire group simultaneously in performance.
Fygoures must be executed in conjunction with the rhythm of the dance, and are usually done on the longer steps (numbers 1, 4, 7, and 10). There are several options including, but not limited to:
- Dancing backwards
- Turning
- Footwork Variations
- Knee Bends
- Leaps
- Slaps
If this dance is being performed, you might see the dancers break the line momentarily to do partner work (man with woman), and then reconvene into the line. This is another very nice alternative to the plain 12-step.
Changing Leaders
To change the leader in Kalamatiano requires an invitation or delegation from the acting leader. Sometimes this will be a verbal invitation, which the new leader can accept by relinquishing his spot in the line and taking over the position at the front of the line.
Other times, the leader may simply let go of the handkerchief and join onto the end of the line, leaving the second person in the leader's position.
References:
- Asteria Dancing Group. Kalamatianos Background. 3 June 2008. www.vic.com/asteria/kalamatianos/history.htm
- Oakes, Dick. Syrtos or Kalamatianos. 3 June 2008. www.phantomranch.net/folkdanc/dances/syrtos.htm.
