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Armenia

  • The 3 most famous Armenian folk dances

    Kochari

    The most widespread and nowadays most well-preserved Armenian dance is called Kochari. It was created during pagan times when the nature was worshipped. This dance which imitates a wild rum’s movements, its power and strength, was originated in the period of the worship of a wild rum. Centuries passed, but this element has been preserved up to nowadays. Today it is difficult to count how many types of kochari there are.

    Yarkhushta

    Military dance Yarkhushta has an inviolable position among them. It belongs to the “clap type” dances. Yarkhushta is one of the unique traditional dances that has undergone very little changes. The number of dancers should be 2. They get divided into two opposite groups, one of which is attacking and the other is resisting. Facing each other, they hold their hands above their heads and bump their palms which symbolizes the bumping of arms. The tempo of the moves gradually becomes faster, claps become abrupt.

    Lorke

    Lorke is another beautiful and favourite Armenian ritual dance. It was danced during weddings, during flower gatherings of Water festival and pilgrimage. While dancing, participants stand side by side, hold their hands by little finger.

  • Armenian national dances are an integral part of Armenian culture. The origin of dances dates back to the pagan times and is one of the great many ways to observe Armenian character. Due to the dances, one can see the mentality of the nation, the inner world and the attitude towards nature and life. After undergoing some changes through the centuries, national dances still retain their typical movements, musical and structural features. 

    When many families migrated to Eastern Armenia from Western Armenia in the early 20th century, hybridization of two different branches of national culture occurred creating new and richer variety of national dances. There are several kinds of dances according to the way of performance and handholding form. According to the content there are mythical, religious, secular, hunting, military and other types of dances.