Kurdish dance (Govend, Hilperkê )
Rhythmic and elegant movements, originated in the history and geography of Kurds, beliefs, work, struggles, wars and quarrels- are called Halparke (Helperkê/ Hilperkê in Kurdish alphabet). The roots of this dance go back far into the history –more than 5000-6000 years– and it covers a vast variety of moves, styles and variations that spans over a large region of Middle East with some 35 million Kurds who sing and dance in all of their festivals, birthdays, new year’s, Newroz, weddings and other ceremonies. This dance is a mixed gender and beautiful group of traditional hand-holding and mostly round dancing, with a single or a couple of figure dancers often added to the center of the dancing circle. çupi (Chupi) refers to the dance leader in the circle that normally plays with his hands moving colorful handkerchief in the air- He/she is also called Ser-Chupi in few regions such as Kurdistan Iran. The word Chupi may also be referred to as Kurdish dance in general.
Kurdish dance reflects samples of Kurdish life over thousands of years and it has its special place in Kurd's culture so that an observant viewer will be able to notice the dancers' subtle singing and gestures. Giving thanks in Howshar, fighting against cruelty in Zangi, and joy and happiness in Garyan are a few examples. These movements differ in different parts of Kurdistan from the variety point of views, and joy and worry have their own special place. Although, some of these rhythms are no longer common, many of original forms are preserved despite the Kurds peculiar situation. Some of the famous styles include: Geryan, Chepi, Daghe, Dilan, Hawshar, Shekhani, Khan Amiri, Daghe, Shayaneh, Zangi, Shekak, Sepa (Sepe), Koçerî (Kochari), Leblan, Fatah Pawsh (Pasha), Shelan, Sejar, Mukri, Savarani, and few newly developed ones such as Naz, Farxe (Farkheh) and Bafraw.
Rhythmic and elegant movements, originated in the history and geography of Kurds, beliefs, work, struggles, wars and quarrels- are called Halparke (Helperkê/ Hilperkê in Kurdish alphabet). The roots of this dance go back far into the history –more than 5000-6000 years– and it covers a vast variety of moves, styles and variations that spans over a large region of Middle East with some 35 million Kurds who sing and dance in all of their festivals, birthdays, new year’s, Newroz, weddings and other ceremonies. This dance is a mixed gender and beautiful group of traditional hand-holding and mostly round dancing, with a single or a couple of figure dancers often added to the center of the dancing circle. çupi (Chupi) refers to the dance leader in the circle that normally plays with his hands moving colorful handkerchief in the air- He/she is also called Ser-Chupi in few regions such as Kurdistan Iran. The word Chupi may also be referred to as Kurdish dance in general.
Kurdish dance reflects samples of Kurdish life over thousands of years and it has its special place in Kurd's culture so that an observant viewer will be able to notice the dancers' subtle singing and gestures. Giving thanks in Howshar, fighting against cruelty in Zangi, and joy and happiness in Garyan are a few examples. These movements differ in different parts of Kurdistan from the variety point of views, and joy and worry have their own special place. Although, some of these rhythms are no longer common, many of original forms are preserved despite the Kurds peculiar situation. Some of the famous styles include: Geryan, Chepi, Daghe, Dilan, Hawshar, Shekhani, Khan Amiri, Daghe, Shayaneh, Zangi, Shekak, Sepa (Sepe), Koçerî (Kochari), Leblan, Fatah Pawsh (Pasha), Shelan, Sejar, Mukri, Savarani, and few newly developed ones such as Naz, Farxe (Farkheh) and Bafraw.