The Intricate Steps Of The Turkish Wedding Dance: A Cultural Tradition Explained

Turkish weddings are incredibly inclusive, with thousands of people often in attendance. The most popular traditional dance at weddings is the Halay, a dance that signifies unity and cooperation. It is performed in a long line that curves into a semi- or full circle, with no limit to the number of people who can join. Each dancer intertwines their hand or finger with the individuals on either side, and they move in an anti-clockwise direction with certain steps in time to the music. The dance is accompanied by two indispensable instruments: a drum and pipe, known as the davul and zurna.

The dance signifies unity and cooperation

The Halay is a traditional Turkish folk dance that is commonly performed at weddings. The name "Halay" is derived from the word "Alay", which means "many people", unity, union, and cooperation. It also signifies the continuity of a human group. The dance is performed by both men and women, who form a row and then a circle, holding hands and moving in a circle to the rhythm of the music. The dance is accompanied by a shrill pipe and a drum, with a minimum of three people. The leader of the dance, known as the "halaybasi", holds a handkerchief and swings it in time with the music to keep the rest of the dancers in sync. The Halay is believed to have originated from ancient Turkish mythology and shamanistic roots in Central Asia, with similar dances found in Greek and Arabic cultures.

The Halay is a significant part of Turkish culture and is often performed during weddings, national holidays, and other special occasions. It is a symbol of unity and cooperation, bringing people together in a circle to celebrate and showcase their cultural heritage. The dance is so intrinsic to Turkish culture that it is even performed during protests and election campaigns. The inclusive nature of the dance, with no limit to the number of participants, reflects the Turkish attitude towards weddings, which are often grand celebrations with thousands of attendees.

The dance steps and formations vary across different regions of Turkey, with each region having its own unique wedding traditions. However, the Halay remains a constant feature of Turkish weddings, rarely absent from the celebrations. The dance is believed to bring people together and foster a sense of community, as participants move in unison and cooperate to perform the intricate steps. The circular formation of the dance also symbolises the continuity of the community and the unity between the bride and groom's families.

The Halay is more than just a dance; it is a ritual that strengthens social bonds, fosters cooperation, and celebrates unity. The intricate steps, formations, and traditional instruments create a vibrant and energetic atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on all who witness or participate in it. The Halay is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Turkey, bridging the gap between the past and the present through the universal language of dance.

It is called the Halay

The Halay is mostly performed at weddings and is accompanied by music from the zurna and davul, though in recent years, electronic instruments have started to replace them. The dance usually begins slowly and speeds up as it goes on. Dancers form a circle or a line, holding each other in various ways, such as finger to finger, shoulder to shoulder, or hand to hand. The last and first players may hold a piece of cloth.

The linguistic origin of the term "Halay" is uncertain, with several theories proposed. One suggestion is that it is derived from the word "alay", meaning "community, crowd", which entered Turkish from Persian, and ultimately derives from the Latin "alae", the plural of "ala", meaning a "cavalry unit". Another theory is that it comes from the Kurdish (Kurmanji) "hilayi" or "halayi", meaning "standing up, playing", derived from the Kurdish verb "hildan" or "haldan", meaning "to play, to jump, to lift".

The Halay is known by different names in various languages and regions, reflecting its widespread popularity. It is called Govend or Dîlan in Kurdish, Ḥeggāʾ in Syriac, Yallı in Azerbaijani, šurǰpar in Armenian, Chaláï in Greek, and Attan in Afghanistan.

It is accompanied by the zurna and davul

The zurna is a double-reed wind instrument played in Central Asia, West Asia, the Caucasus, Southeast Europe, and parts of North Africa. It is also used in Sri Lanka. The zurna is typically accompanied by a davul, a bass drum, in Armenian, Anatolian, and Assyrian folk music. Together, the zurna and davul are thought to constitute a good ensemble for traditional weddings.

The zurna is said to have originated in Central Asia and ancient Asia Minor (Anatolia). Images of the instrument are visible in stone reliefs and artwork by the Hittites, who were an ancient empire from Asia Minor about 2000 to 1200 B.C. It was later introduced to several countries following the spread of Islam (A.D. 650-1500). The zurna played an important role in Ottoman mehter music and became an essential part of Turkish folk music and dance, as well as Armenian, Assyrian, and Kurdish dance.

The zurna is constructed from one piece of wood, with one thumb-hole, and up to eight finger-holes. The player blows into the double-reed mouthpiece, using circular breathing to make the melody continuous. The sound of the zurna is loud, high-pitched, sharp, and piercing. Due to its constant volume and non-stop playing, it is often accompanied by big drums like the davul that provide rhythm and lower frequencies that travel further than the zurna's high-pitched sound.

The zurna and davul are commonly used in Turkish weddings, particularly in the traditional dance called Halay, which signifies unity and cooperation. Turkish weddings are known for their unique and culturally rooted customs, with celebrations lasting many days and including various rituals, traditions, and superstitions.

The dance is performed in a circle or line

The Turkish wedding dance, Halay, is a dance of unity and cooperation. It is the national dance of Turkey and is performed at weddings across the country, though it is particularly popular in the east and south-east. The dance is performed in a circle or line, with no limit to the number of people who can join in. Each dancer intertwines their hands or fingers with the people on either side of them, before moving in an anti-clockwise direction with certain steps in time to the music. The dance begins slowly and speeds up as the group becomes accustomed to the footwork.

The Halay is led by a chosen halaybasi, a respected person who knows the dance well and is in charge of setting the steps and pace. The halaybasi uses a handkerchief to keep the rest of the dancers in time and in line, which is also thought to have links to shamanistic rituals, where coloured ribbons, shields, flags and axes were waved to remove bad spirits.

The dance is performed to the beat of a drum and pipe, known as the davul and zurna. The zurna pipe has been an essential part of the Halay since the 14th century, and the davul drum is thought to date back even further. In recent years, electronic instruments have started to replace these traditional instruments.

The Halay is also performed outside of weddings, on certain holidays and occasions, such as the seasonal festivals of Nowruz or Hidrellez. It is said that the dance's origins stretch back to old Turkish mythology and its shamanistic roots in Central Asia.

The dance is sped up as it progresses

Turkish weddings are full of unique and culturally rooted customs. One of the most popular traditional dances is the Halay, which signifies unity and cooperation. The dance is performed to the music of the zurna (a pipe) and the davul (a traditional Turkish drum). It is a cycle of the same melody that begins slowly and then speeds up as it progresses. The dancers—holding hands, fingers, or shoulders—perform a series of simple moves in unison, with the first and last dancers sometimes holding a piece of cloth. The dance is incredibly inclusive, with guests often joining in to celebrate the newlywed couple.

The Halay is performed at almost every wedding in Türkiye, with different regions favouring their own variations. The dance is often performed during the Henna Night, a smaller celebration that takes place one to two weeks before the wedding. The Henna Night is a female-centric ceremony, where the bride, dressed in red, is surrounded by her female friends and family. The elder women lead the ceremony, chanting traditional songs and performing rituals to bring the bride to tears, symbolising the sorrow of leaving her family. The ceremony continues with the application of henna, believed to bring long-lasting love and protection from tragedy to the married couple.

The wedding celebrations also include a procession from the bride's house to the groom's home, accompanied by drums and pipes. The groom usually arrives in a car adorned with flowers and sashes, and has to "bribe" the children blocking his way with treats and loose change. The bride is then ""given away" by her family, and the procession of cars drives through the village, town, or city, with people joining in the festivities.

The actual wedding ceremony is a simple affair, lasting only about 15 minutes. After the ceremony, the couple queues up to receive congratulations and presents, with guests pinning money and gold onto their sashes. The celebrations continue long into the night with grand feasts, dancing, and music.

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