Regions of Aegean:
(Izmir, Mugla, Denizli, Manisa, Aydin, Burdur,, Afyon, Balikesir, Isparta, Bursa ,Bilecik, Eskisehir)
Zeybek;
In contrast to the ferverish pitch common to karadeniz dances, the Zeybek dances of Western Anatolia, near the Aegean coast, are slow and graceful. While not done exclusively by men, they are commonly associated with them.
The work zeybek refers to a man, who is a brother, a friend, a protector of his people. In a sense he is akin to a samurai type of figure. Performed individually, in a circle or often as a solo, the zeybek dance usually begins with the man strutting boastfully to tight strains of music. The accompaniment may be a zurna and davul, or the melody may be played by a baglama, kaval, kabek kemece or clarinet, while a dumbek marks the rhythm. Individual dancers move proudly and strongly, their arms extended to their sides at shoulder height, their legs taking large steps, bending the knees occasionally and swinging the bent leg forward or behind the straight leg. With dignity and poise, the zeybek male kneels on one knee, gently touching it on the ground while twisting his body to one side.
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