Horon Explained

Horon (χορόν|khorón; Laz: oxoronu) is a group of traditional folk dances from the Pontus or Eastern Black Sea Region in Turkey.

Name

Etymology

The term horon derives from Greek choros (Greek, Modern (1453-);: χορός|khorós, see chorus), which means "dance." The earliest instance of its usage in a Turkic language is in Codex Cumanicus from 1303.[1]

In the provinces of Ordu and Giresun, the term horan is used instead of horon.[2]

Variants

Over 50 variations of horon have been identified in a single region.[3]

Origin

Horon or horonu is the Turkish equivalent of the serra war dance of the Pontian Greeks, resembling the ancient Greek Pyrrhic armed dance.[4]

Dance

The horon is typically performed by a group of men or women in a line or semicircle. This dance form involves fast shoulder shimmy (Greek: Τρέμουλο, tremoulo), trembling of the entire body, and sudden squats.[5] Horon dances require speed and agility in a dancer.

See also

Associated category
Similar dances

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nişanyan . Sevan . horon . NişanyanSözlük . 7 November 2022.
  2. Book: Gazimihal . Mahmut R. . Türk halk oyunları kataloğu . 1991 . Kültür Bakanlığı . 978-975-17-0920-2 . 152 . 7 November 2022 . tr.
  3. Web site: Horon Folk Dance . All about Turkey . 2023-09-22.
  4. Web site: The Serra (Horon) . 22 February 2017 . PontosWorld . 12 February 2024.
  5. Web site: Top 9 Turkish Culture, Customs and Etiquette . 2023-09-22 . toplist.info . en.