Hasapiko

The Hasapiko (Greek: χασάπικο, Turkish: Kasap havası) is a Greek folk dance. The name comes from the word "butcher". The dance originated in the Middle Ages as a battle mime with swords performed by the butchers guild, which adopted it from the military. In Constantinople during the Byzantine times, it was called μακελλάρικος χορός (makellarikos horos) . Some Greeks, however, reserve the latter term only for the fast version of the dance.The dance is mostly known outside of Greece because of its being danced during the Syrtaki in the film Alexis Zorbas (titled Zorba the Greek in America).

The slow version of the dance is called χασάπικο βαρύ (hasapiko vary) or χασάπικος βαρύς (hasapikos varys) and generally employs a 4/4 tempo. The fast version of the dance uses a 2/4 rhythm. It is variously called γρήγορο χασάπικο, μακελλάριος χορός; χασαποσέρβικο (grigoro hasapiko, makellarios horos, hasaposerviko – the latter a reference to Serbian and other Balkan influences on this version of the dance).

Hasapiko served as a base for the Sirtaki.

See also

• Sirtaki
• Kalamatianos
• Syrtos
• Zeibekiko
• Sousta
• Ballos
• Nightclubs in Greece
• Greek dances
• Zorba the Greek
• Bouzoukia

External links

• Hasapiko description