Zeibekiko

Zeibekiko (Ζεϊμπέκικο, ) is a Greek folk dance, similar to Turkish Zeybek dance.

Origin and history
It takes its name from the Zeybeks, an irregular militia living in the Aegean Region of the Ottoman Empire from late 17th to early 20th centuries. It was first seen at the end of the 17th century in cities such as Constantinople and Smyrna. Evliya Çelebi mentions in his writings that it was danced in Magnesia and in Aydın at local feasts. Originally a dance for two armed people facing one another, it developed into an improvised dance for a single male.

After the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922, the dance became popular also in mainland Greece, in many songs of Laiko music.

Characteristics
The Zeibekiko usually has a rhythmic pattern of or else. It is most commonly broken down as:

or as:

As a solo dance, it was traditionally performed by men, though it is now common for women to dance the Zeibekiko. Due to the movements of the dancer, it is sometimes known as the "eagle dance". The dance has no set steps, only certain figures and a circular movement. It takes place in an area little surpassing one square metre and mostly consists of improvised movements.

Occasionally dancers perform feats such as standing on a glass of wine or a chair or fireplace, or picking up a table, adding a sense of a little braggadocio and humor.