Armenian folk dances

One of the best ways to identify the nature and cultural thinking of a country are folk dances. Welcome to get acquainted with Armenian folk dances and feel the power, will and pride of an old nation.

Armenian folk dances are mainly group circle dances performed during festive celebrations, family ceremonies and other social events. During the centuries those dances have been more or less modernized, but they never lost their uniqueness.

Don’t be surprised, when you have discovered, that there are many worrier dances among Armenian folk dances. There is a logical answer. Geographically, being on a crossroad of the East and West, Armenia always had a great importance and through its history many times was attacked by different countries. That’s why we will not be mistaken, if we say, that Armenian folk dances are strictly connected with its history. But there are also mythical, religious, secular, hunting and other types of dances.

Yarkhushta

One of the most famous dances, which has an inviolable position among Armenian military dances is Yarkhushta. It belongs to the “clap type” dances. The number of dancers should be 2. They get divided into two opposite groups, one of which is attacking and the other is resisting. Facing each other, they hold their hands above their heads and bump their palms which symbolizes the bumping of arms. The tempo of the moves gradually becomes faster, claps become abrupt. To feel the essence of the dance, one needs to watch it at least once.

Kochari

The next dance is the most widespread and nowadays most well-preserved Armenian Kochari. It was created during pagan times when the nature was worshipped. Formed several thousand years ago, Kochari is now known in every corner of Armenia and today it is difficult to count how many types of Kochari there are. In 2017 it was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Lorke

Lorke is another beautiful and favorite Armenian ritual dance. It was danced during weddings, during flower gatherings of Water festival and pilgrimage. While dancing, participants stand side by side, hold their hands by little finger.

Berd

The most “proud” dance among Armenian dance heritage is Berd. The roots are from the old Vaspurakan city.Berd means “fortress” in Armenian and the name also symbolizes it because of the shape the dancers make. A circle of men stands on the shoulders of another circle and start rotating.