Syrto Kritikos
Associations---Greece Greece
Tapes Found On---Camp 93 Camp 94 DC Greek Golden Hits 90
Origin---Greece
Choreographer---traditional
Song Name---Ta Mavra Rukha
Notes
ėCretan Syrtosî
(see also ėSyrtos Haniotikos and ėKritikosî which are the same
dance)
The rhythm is in 2/4
Notes taken from another source
This dance originated in the city of Khania in western Crete and
is thus known on Crete as Khaniotikos . In its original form, it may be
done either left-to-right or in-and-out of the circle, with basically the
same pattern. The original dance is done in fast 2/4 time, with the beats
short-short-long. The version of the dance commonly done in America, however,
is slower and in 4/4 time, with the rhythm inverted, long-short-short.
The American version of the dance originated in Pittsburgh after World
War II. The dancers knew the steps, but the musicians were not familiar
with Cretan music. They fit the steps to the song "Misirlou" , and transformed
the dance in the process. The basic foot pattern is the same as the original,
but the American version is distinguished by the swinging arc movements
of the legs as well as the different rhythm. Riding on the popularity of
the songs "Misirlou" and, later, "Never on a Sunday," the American form
went on to become one of the best known Greek dances in the world and,
while some purists might not like the Americanized version, Greek-Americans
can take pride in their contribution to the living dance tradition of their
mother country. A third version of this dance is done on Rhodes. Many Cretans
fled Crete because of fighting with the Turks and ended up on Rhodes, taking
their syrto with them. Today, the steps are essentially identical with
the basic Haniotiko version (i.e., no swings), but, as in America, the
rhythm has become inverted, long-short-short. On Rhodes, they still call
it Cretan Syrto, although Greeks elsewhere consider it a separate dance
and call it Syrtos Roditikios There are many songs, most in 7/8 and a few
in 2/4.
.
I (Shaker) consider this dance to be a derivation of a very ancient
dance. The name 'Kritikos' means 'judge'. In Greece the constellation
of the Pliades are known as 'the Seven Sisters'. In ancient India
the Pliades were also known. They were called 'The Seven Mothers
who Rule the World' We are talking about pre-patriarcal India here,
before what archeologists refer to as the Kurgan hordes came sweeping into
the subcontinent. These Mothers were the ones who chose, judged and
then, at the end of his term of rule, killed the ancient Sacred King (a
neolithic phenomena). Crete, the place of origin of this form of
the dance, was the last major neolithic Mother-Goddess society on earth.
It fell to Greek sea marauders about 1350 BC.
(see Tsakonikos)
.
I believe that The Kritikos is a derivation of the ancient dance
that the Sacred King in Crete (and in pre-vedic India) engaged in during
the ceremonies where in he became the Sacred King (by marrying the Queen,
the representative of the Mother Goddess) and when, after a year or seven,
depending upon the cycle, his term was ended and he was beheaded.
(Interestingly, the name of the ax which beheaded the King was
'The Labrys', the double headed ax shaped like an iron butterfly.
This comes from the name for the lips of the Vagina, the source of birth
and, also, the power of death. It (in the form of the 'Labyrinth')
was also the name of the palace at Gnossis in Crete.
.
And the name long ago of the Seven Mothers who Ruled the
World of Ancient India?
"The Kritikas" The Judges.
Words in English
Ach, as much as the irons ring, aman aman
so do the clack clothes.
Ach, thus, I also wore them, aman aman
for a love I once had.
Ach, I had and I lost
I remember and I sigh.
Ach, open up, earth, so that I may enter, aman
aman
so that I do not see the world.
Words in Native Tongue
Akh, oso varun ta sidhera aman, aman
oso varun ta mavra rukha.
Akh, etsi ta foresa kíegho, aman aman
ya mya aghapi pu ëkha.
Akh ikhya, ke isterithika aman aman
thimume ke stenazo.
Akh, anikse yis mesa na vo, aman aman
kosmo na min kitazo.
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