Cultural Heritage, Anatolia’s Integrating Dance
Turkish folk dances have a rich heritage that reflects the history, lifestyle and traditions of the people by bringing together different cultural elements from all over Anatolia. Although these dances show regional differences, each of them keeps the identity and culture of the communities alive. The most well-known and widespread of these dances is the Halay.
Halay is widely played especially in Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia and some Black Sea provinces. This folk dance is usually performed at weddings, festivals, special celebrations and social events. Halay is a dynamic game played by a group of people side by side or in rings, holding hands or shoulder to shoulder. The main characteristic of the game is a dance form consisting of harmonious step-by-step movements accompanied by fast rhythms. Halay can also be played with different rhythms and steps according to regional differences. For example, while the Halay in Southeastern Anatolia is played in a faster and more energetic way, in Central Anatolia calmer and more harmonious steps may be at the forefront.
The way the Halay is played also reveals the historical and cultural richness of this game. The game is played to traditional music, mostly accompanied by drums and zurna. The deep and powerful sound of the drum and the high-pitched and cheerful melody of the zurna determine the rhythm of the halay and guide the participants in keeping the rhythm. Halay is not only a dance, but also a social context of togetherness, solidarity and celebration. The game is therefore an important tradition that brings the community together, especially at weddings, holidays and social celebrations. Halay is more than just a fun ritual, it is a cultural element that unites the people and continues to be popular today as one of the most well-known and popular examples of Turkish folk dances.