Khanchobany dance is a national dance of Azerbaijan mainly performed by men. The Khanchobany is a folk dance performed mainly during auspicious occasions such as marriages is a South Caucasus region. This “celebratory” dance is said to have its origin from the Khanchobani tribe that settled in the region of Shirvan located in Azerbaijan in the 17th and 18th century.
A. History/origin of the Khanchobany dance:
According to the cultural history of Azerbaijan, a tribe known as “Khanchobany” settled in a region called Shirvan during the 17th and 18th centuries. Furthermore, this dance was then created by this community for the first time during the late 19th century, and hence was aptly named after it.
B. Costumes used in the Khanchobany dance:
The costumes used by the performers (mainly males) include a colourful shirt, an overcoat, a trouser, a pair of shoes, and a cap.
C. Music involved in the Khanchobany dance:
Traditional Azerbaijani musical instruments such as tar i.e. a skin faced lute, a kamancha i.e. a skin faced spike fiddle, the saz i.e. a long lute, tutek i.e. whistle flute, daf i.e. frame drum etc are used in this dance style.
D. Training availability and the technique involved in the Khanchobany dance:
In terms of technique, the performers (mainly men) in this dance perform use synchronized feet movements. Furthermore, they also dance to a quicker rhythm. As for training centers/schools, there are none available around the world since this “celebratory” dance is mainly performed in Azerbaijan.