Folk Dances of the Teke Region

Teke Oyunları are traditional dances that developed in the geographical area encompassed by the Beylik of the Tekeoğulları, which emerged after the collapse of the Seljuk State folk dances Anatolia Antalya. This region, known until the Republican Era as the Sanjak of Teke, is today referred to as the Teke Region and includes parts of Antalya Burdur Isparta southern Denizli and the districts of Fethiye and Ortaca in Muğla as well as Dinar and Dazkırı in Afyon Yörük Turkmen. The dances in this area dominated by Teke culture bear traces of nomadic life and nature and are characterized by rapid and lively movements of the hands arms and legs.

Teke Oyunları -CulturePortal

Teke Oyunları - Culture Portal

Etimology and History

The name "Teke" given to the region derives from the male black ram which was extensively bred in the area and served as the leader of the flocks. The term "Zortlatma" or "Zortlama" the most prominent type of these dances originates from the leaping jumping and sudden movements made by the ram during its mating season in autumn (teke katımı). Shepherds imitated these natural movements with the kaval thus giving rise to "Teke Zortlatması". The dances are also known among the people by various names such as "Teke Havası" "Menevşeli" "Tüngümeli" "Aykırı" or "Teke Sekişi".

Musical Features and Instruments

The musical structure of the Teke Region dances is based on melodies known as "Teke Havaları" or "Boğaz Havaları". Boğaz Havası refers to the unique melodies produced by Teke Yörük shepherds by pressing their fingers against their throats and moving them up and down. The dances typically begin with long melodies called "Guval" (gurbet havası). The main instruments accompanying the dances are the bağlama the three-stringed kabak kemane the kaval and the sipsi a local instrument of the region. In outdoor performances the davul and zurna are used while in women’s gatherings the leğen tepsi tef or delbek serve as rhythm instruments.

Main Dance Types

The dances of the region are categorized according to their rhythmic structures and figure characteristics.

Teke Zortlatması

A highly dynamic and agile dance in 9/16 time signature whose figures reflect the movements of the ram. The fastest section of the dance is called "Dattiri". The most well-known folk songs of the region include "Cemilem" "Yayla Yolları" "Antalya’nın Mor Üzümü" "Kezban Yenge" and "Hadi Gari Sen de Gel".

Teke Oyunları - Culture Portal

Zeybekler

The regional zeybek dances are more dynamic than the Aegean zeybek dances and are classified into four main groups:

• Teke Zeybeği: The fastest zeybek type performed in 9/8 time. Examples include "Sarı Zeybek" "Haymanalı" and "Şu Dirmilin Çalgısı".
• Heavy Zeybekler (Kesinti Zeybekleri): Slow-tempo dances performed in 9/2 and 9/4 time signatures that express courage and strength. "Alyazma" "Gölhisar" "Tefenni" and "Avşar Zeybeği" belong to this group. The Avşar Zeybeği begins with a gurbet havası and continues with gezenneme steps.
• Agile Zeybekler: Dances emphasizing agility and vigor featuring finger snapping and knee striking figures. "Serenler Zeybeği" and "Bucak Serenleri" are examples of this type.
• Kırık Zeybekler: Dances such as "Karaağaç" and "Osman Efe" characterized by intense bending and knee-bending movements.

Zeybek - Culture Portal

Other Dance Forms

• Gabardıç (Kaba Ardıç): An ancient dance performed in 2/4 time with continuous repetition of a musical phrase and rooted in Shamanism. The basic figure involves hopping on the left foot while touching the ground with the right foot.
• Dımıdan: A general term for dances performed by women accompanied by tef leğen or sini. It is not only the name of a specific dance but also refers to musical entertainment among women.
• Mengi: A dance performed at weddings in Alevi villages of Antalya resembling the semah movements of Cem ceremonies but more agile.
• Sektirme: A dance performed in 9/8 rhythm consisting of hopping and gliding movements.

Clothing and Attire

Regional costumes contribute significantly to the visual richness of the dances. Women’s attire consists of a fes an ornate yazma forehead ornament cheek cover three-piece kutnu skirt cepken göynek şalvar wool socks çarık and yemeni. Accessories include metal belts necklaces and bracelets. Men’s attire includes a fes and poşu on the head a mintan on the back a göynek and cepken (kepe) a şal belt and kolon belt around the waist and beneath them a çağşır wool socks and çarık.