occupies a very important place with the Turkish Cypriots, who due to their geographic location, have benefited from a variety of cultures. Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Franks, Venetians and Turks have all influenced the cultural heritage of this Mediterranean island. Folklore is extremely important in the Turkish Cypriot culture as it provides unity and identity. Turkish Cypriotfolk dances are not only significant because they are liked by the local people but also because they receive much critical acclaim in other parts of the world. Many folk dance groups are routinely representing North Cyprus international festivals throughout the year. Folk dances reflect all details of the Cypriot lifestyle. The dances that are choreographed with the motifs of typical behaviours and traditional occasions, typically focus on notable events. Undoubtedly the most important among these are weddings. In a wedding environment, dances such as 'Karsilama', 'Sirtos', 'Zeybek', 'Ciftetelli' / Arabiyes, and others topical dances. The eagle is the symbolic bird of the island and has always been a part of the lives of Cypriots who appreciate its liberty and adventures called the 'Kartal Oyunu'. The dance of the eagle is performed at the beginning of all the Turkish Cypriot festivals. 'Arabiye' is performed by the females, it is reminiscent of the belly dances performed by women from the not too distant orient but it differs. Pottery is another of the many traditions of Cyprus and is an object of decoration while also serving utilitarian purposes. One of its main tasks of its people is to carry water in an island nation, where ironically, water is rare and precious. The 'Kozan Oyunu' recalls how the women, and sometimes the men when the load is more than the woman can carry, accomplish their tasks and the vicissitudes that mark the paths toward the springs. Besides the dances themselves, the musical instruments used and the costumes are also of interest. Folk dancing one way of gaining a deeper understanding of the Turkish Cypriot lifestyle both past and present.
International membership
became a member of Federation of International Dance Festivals in 2014.
Types of Turkish Cypriot folk dances
Karsılamas
or Antikristos: Karsilamas and antikrystos means coming face to face, both in Greek and Turkish language. It is danced by two or more dancers by coming face to face, among whom there exists a very good friendship. This causes a smiling mimic on the dancers' faces because of their happiness of enjoying together. There are separate women karsilamas and men karsilamas. In some karsilamas dancers use a handkerchief and dance by holding one side of it. Some dancers might from time to time show their special talents like spinning, jumping, kneeling, or hitting their feet or legs or the ground with their hands in accordance with the rhythm of the music simultaneously with spinning or jumping or kneeling... Karsilamas are named with numbers. Karsilama 1, Karsilama 2, Karsilama 3, Karsilama 4, Women's Karsilama 3, Women's Karsilama 4, etc... And they are usually played and danced in the same ascending order as listed here.
It is believed that the name of the dance derives from Greeks who immigrated to Asia Minor from Thrace. These immigrants, called zeibekfli or zeibektdes.
Arabiye: Ciftetellis and Arabiyes are free dance forms danced by females. Female dancers swing their heads, shake their shoulders and chests, swing their bellies and hips, etc. mostly to attract males. Some examples are, Bahriye Ciftetellisi, Mevlana, Arabiye 1, Arabiye 2, etc...
Topical dances
Orak
Kozan
Kartal
Topal
Degirmenci
:The copy woman showing her beauty in order to get her wheat grinded without many. The woman offers her hair,lips,ice,to the grinder but the refuses her.
Bicak Oyunu
Koroglu
: Copy is a blind man which is known as his brave. It is played single by hitting two sticks together.
Kiz Sana Nisan Geliyor
: It is an acted with the words of a turku. The friends of a girl tell her that there is a boy who likes her but they say that his got too many faults such she can not walk properly so on.
Sandala Mandala
: It is an act between a girl’s father and a man who wants his daughter.
