Isios Horos dance is a traditional Greek folk dance. The literal translation of Isios Horos is ‘straight dance’. This Southeast European dance form is a popular dance and is said to have originated from an island called ‘Kalymanos’ located in Greece. Furthermore, this dance is mainly performed in the island during festive occasions. In addition, this dance is performed in a group by men as well as women using a 2/4 rhythm.
A. History/origin of Isios Horos Dance dance:
There is no information available regarding the history/origin of this dance style that has originated from an island in Greece called Isios Horos.
B. Costumes used in the Isios Horos Dance:
The costumes used in this dance style vary according to the gender as follows:
1. For men:
The attire worn includes a white full sleeve shirt, an overcoat, a trouser, a cloth worn around the waist, a pair of shoes, and a cap.
2. For women:
The attire worn includes a colourful dress that includes a skirt, an apron, a pair of shoes, and a headgear.
C. Music involved in the Isisos Horos 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 Isisos Horos Dance:
In terms of technique, the performers arrange themselves in a semicircle and hold each other by the hand. Furthermore, the performers then dance to the rhythm of the accompanying music by “improvising”. As for training availability, none are available around the world since this “popular” dance is mainly performed in Greece.