Mihanikos

Mihanikos

Mihanikos (Greek: Ο χορός του Μηχανικού, literally The dance of the mechanic) is a traditional dance from the Greek island of Kalymnos. It is typically only performed by men dancing in a line. In basic it is a normal Syrtos.
The dance depicts the crippling effects of decompression sickness caused by sponge diving, which was the main source of income on Kalymnos during the last half of the 19th century. This is shown by the leading dancer who (on the slow part of the music) seemingly has to struggle to stand and walk, and uses a stick in doing so. His feet and legs shake violently and sometimes he almost collapses. This "mechanic" behaviour gives the dance its name. Sometimes he is seen being assisted by the second dancer in line. The other dancers dance on normally, until at some point the music picks up speed and leading dancer picks up the rhythm and they dance together in line, with the leading dancer joyfully showing off. This may happen only once during the dance, or the slow and fast parts may alternate, with or without the leading dancer joining the line.

See also

Video example


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Greek folk music — Music of Greece General topics Ancient • Byzantine • Néo kýma • Polyphonic song Genres Entehno • Dimotika • Hip hop • Laïko • …   Wikipedia

  • Greek dances — God Pan and a Maenad dancing. Ancient Greek red figured olpe from Apulia, ca. 320–310 BCE. Pan s right hand fingers are in a snapping position. Greek dance is a very old tradition, being referred to by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Plutarch… …   Wikipedia

  • Nisiotika — Music of Greece General topics Ancient • Byzantine • Néo kýma • Polyphonic song Genres Entehno • Dimotika • Hip hop • Laïko • …   Wikipedia

  • Hasapiko — Music of Greece General topics Ancient • Byzantine • Néo kýma • Polyphonic song Genres Entehno • Dimotika • Hip hop • Laïko • …   Wikipedia

  • Engineer's degree — An engineer s degree is a graduate academic degree intermediate in rank between a master s degree and a doctoral degree in the United States. In Europe, it can be an approximately five year degree roughly equivalent to a master s degree. The… …   Wikipedia

  • Omal — Music of Greece General topics Ancient • Byzantine • Néo kýma • Polyphonic song Genres Entehno • Dimotika • Hip hop • Laïko • …   Wikipedia

  • Dipat — is an ancient spiritual dance of the Trapezounta (Trabzon) region in Pontos (near the Black Sea). This dance is also known as Omal Trapezountas. It is a very distinctive dance: the name of the dance means two step, but in reality the dance has an …   Wikipedia

  • Makedonia (dance) — For other uses, see Makedonia (disambiguation). Makedonia (Greek: Μακεδονία or Μακεδονικός Χορός) is a form of the Greek folk dance Hasapiko Greek: χασάπικο) that has evolved over the years to the patriotic song Makedonia Xakousti (Famous… …   Wikipedia

  • Tsamiko — The Tsamiko (Greek: Τσάμικος, Tsamikos) is a popular traditional dance of Greece. The name literally means dance of the Chams. It is also known as Kleftikos (Greek: Κλέφτικος), literally meaning dance of the Klephts . Contents …   Wikipedia

  • Horon (dance) — Music of Greece General topics Ancient • Byzantine • Néo kýma • Polyphonic song Genres Entehno • Dimotika • Hip hop • Laïko • …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”