User:MariannaGiotsh/sandbox/Dimitroula

Dimitroula is a greek dance mainly performed in the wider region of Alexandria,Imathia (Gidas).

Name and etymology
The name of the dance comes from the homonymous song.

It is a circle dance mainly performed by women but also in mixed line (Papachristos in Raftis). The dancers form a circle holding each other hands low, when the movement and faces are towards the circle direction. When dancers face at the center of the circle, the hands raise at the height of shoulders with bent elbows. The dance consists of two parts.The first part is slow with 12 steps. In the second part, the same steps are repeated at a fast pace and dancers execute leaps and squats (Papachristos in Raftis, 1995).

Composition and rhythm
(time signature)

Steps
First part

Step 1: The right leg steps towards the direction of the circle.

Step 2: The left leg comes right towards the direction of the circle.

Step 3: The right footsteps to the right towards the direction of the circle.

Step 4: The left foot, toes next to the right heel, moves to stand to attention (στάση προσοχής). The dancers face the center of the circle, arms bent to the elbows and they raise hands at the height of the shoulders.

Step 5: The left foot crosses behind the right foot, steping to the right.

Step 6: The right leg spreads to the right, the foot steps not inline but ahead from the left foot

Step 7: Repeat the fifth step.

Step 8: The right foot crosses forward pointing the toes.

Step 9: The right foot moves to the left, faces turn to the left and backs turn to the direction of the circle.

Step 10: The left foot comes to stand to attention, the toes are next to the right heel.

Step 11: The left foot moves to the left, faces turn forward to the direction of the circle.

Step 12: The right foot comes to stand to attention and toes step next to the left heel.

In the second part we repeat the same steps at a faster pace.

Variations
(place / time spread and differentiation)

Cultural significance
(symbolism, occasions)

In popular culture
(books, movies, tv series)