Fisounis dance is a traditional Greek folk dance literally meaning ‘to a strong wind’ (when translated to English). This Southeast European dance style is a ‘women’ dance or female dance. Fisounis is said to have originated from a town called Preveza and a region known as Epirus located in Greece. Furthermore, this dance is performed in a group with the dancers (women) arranging themselves in a circle.
A. History/origin of the Fisounis dance:
According to the cultural history of Greece, this dance style was named Fisounis after a wind that blew frequently in the Preveza and Epirus region.
B. Costumes used in the Fisounis dance:
The costumes worn in this dance style will vary according to gender as follows:
1. For men:
The attire worn will include a long white dress that includes a pyjama/trouser, an overcoat, a colourful cloth tied around waist, a pair of shoes, and a cap.
2. For women:
The attire worn will include a colourful long dress that includes a long skirt, a pair of shoes, and a colourful headgear.
C. Music involved in the Fisounis dance:
The musical instruments mainly involved in this dance style include a mixture of stringed instruments i.e. chordophones, wind instruments i.e. aerophones and drum instruments i.e. membranophones.
D. Training availability and technique involved in the Fisounis dance:
In terms of technique, the performers initially arrange themselves in a circle. Furthermore, the dancers then perform to the rhythm of the music by lifting each leg i.e. right and left one after the other. As for training centers/schools, there are none available around the world since this “women” dance is mainly performed in Greece.