Azerbaijani dances ( az, Azərbaycan Rəqsləri) are traditional dances developed and performed in the Republic of

Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (, ; az, Azərbaycan ), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, , also sometimes officially called the Azerbaijan Republic is a transcontinental country located at the boundary of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a part of th ...

. These dances are known for their quick tempo and the dancers' traditional clothing.

Examples of dances in Azerbaijan

Abayi Abayi ( az, Abayı) is an Azerbaijani dance with its origins in the Shaki and Zaqatala regions of Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (, ; az, Azərbaycan ), officially the Republic of Azerbaijan, , also sometimes officially called the Azerbaijan Repub ...

( Azerbaijani: ''Abayı'') is an Azerbaijani dance with its origins in the Shaki and Zaqatala regions of Azerbaijan. The name of the dance refers to the middle-aged people who typically perform this dance with exaggerated movements for comedic effect. The dance's slow-tempo song was written by Shaki composers. This dance is traditionally performed as a group but has evolved into a solo dance. *

Agir Karadagi Agir Karadagi ( az, Ağır Qaradağı - meaning ''heavy Karadakhi'') is Azerbaijani melody of a dance that is created in Karadakh. It is very popular in the cities Shaki and Zaqatala in northwestern Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (, ; az, Az� ...

( Azerbaijani: ''Ağır Qaradağı'', meaning "heavy Karadakhi") is a dance song that originated in Karadakh. This slow dance is popular in Shaki and Zaqatala. * Anzali ( Azerbaijani: ''Ənzəli'') is a traditional dance that was created approximately in 1880–1890 in

Baku Baku (, ; az, Bakı ) is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, as well as the largest city on the Caspian Sea and of the Caucasus region. Baku is located below sea level, which makes it the lowest lying national capital in the world a ...

. This slow dance is typically performed by older people at the beginning of

wedding A wedding is a ceremony where two people are united in marriage. Wedding traditions and customs vary greatly between cultures, ethnic groups, religions, countries, and social classes. Most wedding ceremonies involve an exchange of marriage vo ...

ceremonies. *

Asma Kasma Azerbaijani dances ( az, Azərbaycan Rəqsləri) are traditional dances developed and performed in the Republic of Azerbaijan. These dances are known for their quick tempo and the dancers' traditional clothing. Examples of dances in Azerbai ...

( Azerbaijani: ''Asma Kəsmə,'' meaning "hanging cutting") is one of the oldest Azerbaijani wedding dances. The song "Asma-Kasma" accompanies the procession of the

bride A bride is a woman who is about to be married or who is newlywed. When marrying, the bride's future spouse, (if male) is usually referred to as the ''bridegroom'' or just ''groom''. In Western culture, a bride may be attended by a maid, brides ...

to the

bridegroom A bridegroom (often shortened to groom) is a man who is about to be married or who is newlywed. When marrying, the bridegroom's future spouse (if female) is usually referred to as the bride. A bridegroom is typically attended by a best man an ...

's home as women dance alongside the bride. This slow, slightly exaggerated dance features several jumps. * Asta Karabagi ( Azerbaijani: ''Asta Qarabağı'', meaning "slow Karabakhi") is a dance from

Karabakh Karabakh ( az, Qarabağ ; hy, Ղարաբաղ, Ġarabaġ ) is a geographic region in present-day southwestern Azerbaijan and eastern Armenia, extending from the highlands of the Lesser Caucasus down to the lowlands between the rivers Kura (Caspia ...

. This slow dance has fixed movements. * Avari ( Azerbaijani: ''Avarı'') originates from the Avari people who live in

. Throughout the dance's three parts, the dancers' movements gradually accelerate until they reach the quick rhythm of the

Lezginka The Lezginka ( lez, Лезги кьуьл; russian: Лезгинка; Tat: ''Ləzgihəngi''; az, Ləzginka or ) is the collective name originally given by Russians to all Caucasian dances united by fast rhythm. It can be solo male or pair danc ...

music. * Banovsha ( Azerbaijani: ''Bənövşə'', meaning "

Viola The viola ( , also , ) is a string instrument that is bow (music), bowed, plucked, or played with varying techniques. Slightly larger than a violin, it has a lower and deeper sound. Since the 18th century, it has been the middle or alto voice of ...

flower") represents how a violet grows from the ground, blooms, and fades. This dance is performed at

Nowruz Nowruz ( fa, نوروز, ; ), zh, 诺鲁孜节, ug, نەۋروز, ka, ნოვრუზ, ku, Newroz, he, נורוז, kk, Наурыз, ky, Нооруз, mn, Наурыз, ur, نوروز, tg, Наврӯз, tr, Nevruz, tk, Nowruz, ...

spring festivals in

. * Bahar (''Bahar rəqsi'' or ''Gülbaxçalar'' or ''Bahar gəldi'' or ''Bahar olsun''): This dance is performed in

spring festivals in

by women. The dance consisted of 3 parts. This dance was composed by the Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

Alibaba Abdullayev Ali Baba is a character from the folk tale ''Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves''. Ali Baba or Alibaba may also refer to: Films * ''Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves'' (1902 film), a French film directed by Ferdinand Zecca * ''Ali Baba'' (1940 film ...

. The music of this dance was composed by great Azerbaijani composer

Jahangir Jahangirov Jahangir Shirgasht oglu Jahangirov (Azerbaijani: ; 20 July 1921 – 25 March 1992) was a Soviet and Azerbaijani composer, conductor and choirmaster; he was named People's Artists of the Azerbaijan SSR in 1964. Biography Jahangir Jahangirov was bor ...

. * Ceyrani or ''Ceyran bala'' ( Azerbaijani: ''ceyran'', meaning "

Gazelle A gazelle is one of many antelope species in the genus ''Gazella'' . This article also deals with the seven species included in two further genera, ''Eudorcas'' and ''Nanger'', which were formerly considered subgenera of ''Gazella''. A third f ...

", an Azeri given name for girls) is a dance, performed by both men and women, which symbolizes the gazelle's gracefulness and elegance. * Chichekler, meaning "flowers" in

Azeri Azerbaijanis (; az, Azərbaycanlılar, ), Azeris ( az, Azərilər, ), or Azerbaijani Turks ( az, Azərbaycan Türkləri, ) are a Turkic peoples, Turkic people living mainly in Azerbaijan (Iran), northwestern Iran and the Azerbaijan, Republi ...

, is an elegant dance that was created in 1910. This women's dance is typically performed in two different forms: slow and fast. The group of colorfully costumed dancers gathers together to collect flowers to display to the audience. The dancers form circles and triangles to the upbeat music. The dance also includes complex hand movements and spins. * Choban Regsi (from

Persian Persian may refer to: * People and things from Iran, historically called ''Persia'' in the English language ** Persians, the majority ethnic group in Iran, not to be conflated with the Iranic peoples ** Persian language, an Iranian language of the ...

: ''Choopan'', meaning "shepherd's dance") is a men's dance typical to rural areas. This energetic dance symbolizes the cheerful spirit of the shepherd who brings his herd to the valley. This dance was first created by the Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

. *

Innabi Innaby ( az, İnnabı) is an Azerbaijani national dance in 6/8 time. Young women and girls perform the dance at parties, weddings and holidays. It is often accompanied by a musical ensemble of sazandars consisting of folk musical instruments such ...

( Azerbaijani: ''İnnabı'', meaning "name of a fruit") is performed by one or two female dancers to exhibit a woman's airs and graces as well as coquetry. * Gangi ( Azerbaijani: ''Cəngi'', meaning "related to war" (from

: Dgang جنگ, meaning "war")) is martial music that calls all people to unity, friendship, and invincibility. *

Halay Halay is the national dance of Turkey and a regional category of folk dance styles in central, southern, eastern, and southeastern regions of the country. It is mainly performed by Turks, Arabs, and Kurds in Turkey. Halay and similar dances are ...

( Azerbaijani: ''Yalli'') is a traditional dance that was first performed at a traditional celebration of fire where dancers would worship fire as a goddess. Halay begins slowly and finishes with quick, running-like steps. Historically, whoever didn't dance the halay correctly was fined by the

chieftain A tribal chief or chieftain is the leader of a tribe, tribal society or chiefdom. Tribe The concept of tribe is a broadly applied concept, based on tribal concepts of societies of western Afroeurasia. Tribal societies are sometimes categori ...

, who would then make him sing a song or dance another dance. *

( Azerbaijani: ''Ləzgi'') is a national dance of

Lezghins Lezgins or Leks ( lez, Лезгияр, Лекьер. lezgijar) are a Northeast Caucasian ethnic group native predominantly to southern Dagestan, a republic of Russia, and northeastern Azerbaijan. The Lezgin are predominantly Sunni Muslims and ...

popular among many people in the

Caucasus Mountains The Caucasus Mountains, : pronounced * hy, Կովկասյան լեռներ, : pronounced * az, Qafqaz dağları, pronounced * rus, Кавка́зские го́ры, Kavkázskiye góry, kɐfˈkasːkʲɪje ˈɡorɨ * tr, Kafkas Dağla ...

. * Mirzayi ( Azerbaijani: ''Mirzəyi'') is traditionally played at wedding parties and performed by men and women with handkerchiefs in their hands. * Nalbeki (''Nəlbəki'', meaning "saucer") is a women's dance performed with dance saucers and cups. This dance was composed by the Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

was the first in the World to use the saucer and cups in a dance. This dance is played with two musics. The first music was composed by Azerbaijani composer Qylman Salahov. Second one was composed by Azerbaijani composer Telman Hajiyev. * ( Azerbaijani: ''3 nömrə. 4 nömrə. 5 nömrə. 6 nömrə.'' - meaning "Number 3, Number 4, Number 5, Number 6") are famous dance melodies composed in the second half of the 1920s in Baku. Dance 3 and 5, which have slow tempos and doleful melodies, are performed by women. Dances 4 and 6 have a slightly faster tempo and are performed by both women and men. * Tarakama ( Azerbaijani: ''Tərəkəmə'') is a dance of a tribespeople performed by both men and women with arms extended and heads up. * Vagzali ( Azerbaijani: ''Vağzalı'') is a dance for when the bride departs from her family house to the house of the bridegroom. * Zorkhana (

: Zurkhaneh, meaning "house of strength") is a men's dance that symbolizes courage, bravery, and youthful enthusiasm. * Gaitagi ( Azerbaijani: Qaytağı) is a rapid and dynamic dance.
Heyvagulu
( Azerbaijani: Heyvagülü) was choreographed by the Seygah

mugham Mugham ( az, Muğam) or Mughamat ( az, Muğamat) is one of the many classical compositions from Azerbaijan, contrasting with tasnif and ashik. It is a highly complex art form that weds classical poetry and musical improvisation in specific l ...

. * Uzundara (Uzundərə): is a historical Azerbaijani folk dance. Meaning “a long gauge”, is a long dance performance. It was traditionally performed when the bride and bridegroom are on the road. The melody of this dance was first processed and pitched by Azerbaijani composer

Uzeyir Hajibeyov Uzeyir bey Abdulhuseyn oghlu Hajibeyov ( az, Üzeyir bəy Əbdülhüseyn oğlu Hacıbəyov; russian: Узеир Абдул-Гусейн оглы Гаджибеков, translit=Uzeir Abdul-Guseyn ogly Gadzhibekov; September 18, 1885November 23, 19 ...

(1885-1948).

(1885-1948) used melody of ''Uzundere'' in his second operetta "O olmasın, bu olsun" (1911) * Turajy (''Turacı''): is a women's dance that includes lyrics. This dance based on Mahur

. * Yuz bir (''Yüz bir'', meaning "one hundred and one"): is a little quick dance played by both women and men. The music of the dance based on Shushter

and played with Azerbaijani folk instrument Balaban. Shushter is longing and lyrical. One hundred and one is a mystical number belonging to the eastern realm. There is also a hypothesis that in ancient folk festivals in Azerbaijan, musicians created impromptu dances and numbered them in order not to forget. For example: ( Azerbaijani: "Üç. Dörd. Beş. On dörd" meaning "Three. Four. Five. Fourteen".) *

Sari Gelin ''Sari Gelin'' ( az, Sarı Gəlin, , ; fa, دامن کشان, Dâman Kešân) or Sari Aghjik ( hy, Սարի աղջիկ, Sāri Āγčīk) is the name for a number of folk songs popular among the people of Iran, the southern Caucasus (most promine ...

(''Sarı Gəlin''): is an Azerbaijani folk dance. This dance is performed under the music of Azerbaijani version of the song ''Sarı Gəlin''. The melody of the song was first processed and pitched by Azerbaijani composer

Asaf Zeynally Asaf Zeynalabdin oglu Zeynally ( az, Asəf Zeynallı), also spelled Zeynalli (5 April 1909, Derbent – 27 October 1932, Baku), was an Azerbaijani composer. Early life Asaf Zeynally was the third child of the gardener Zeynalabdin and his wife As ...

(1909-1932). * Naz elama (''Naz eləmə'' or ''Naznazı'' meaning "Don't flirt" or "Don't play"): is dance with two heroes: a boy and a girl. The author of the music and structure of this dance was great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

. Starting from 1942, he performed this dance with Leyla Badirbeyli, later Amina Dilbazli, Shafiqa Amirova and Tutu Hamidova. This dance celebrates the feelings of love between two people. This love is shown by dance moves and facial expressions. * Qaval (''Qaval rəqsi''): is a national dance played by women with a

dayereh Daf ( fa, دف) also known as Dâyere and Riq is a Middle Eastern (mainly Iranian) frame drum musical instrument, used in popular and classical music in South and Central Asia. It is also used in Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Iran, Uzbe ...

in her hand. This dance was composed by great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

while he was working in Azerbaijan State Dance and Song Ensemble. For the first time in 1959 dancer Emine Dilbazi performed this dance with the lyrical music of composer Gylman Salahov.

was the first to use the qaval in a dance. Great Azerbaijani composer

Eldar Mansurov Eldar Bahram oglu Mansurov ( az, Eldar Bəhram oğlu Mansurov / , ; born February 28, 1952) is an Azerbaijani musician, composer and songwriter. He is the son of musician Bahram Mansurov. His younger brother Elkhan Mansurov is also a musici ...

also composed music for (''Qaval rəqsi''). * Qıtqılıda (''Qıtqılıda rəqsi''): is a historical and national woman's dance that originated in Azerbaijan in 1860–1870. This dance was first staged by famous Azerbaijani composer

in his second operetta ''O olmasın, bu olsun'' (1911). The creator and first performer of this dance was famous accordionist Teyyub Damirov. This dance was first processed and pitched in 1937 by Said Rustamov. * Ganjlik (''Gənclik'' or ''Bəy''): is a male dance. This dance was composed by great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

in the 1950s. And first time performed by Azerbaijani dancer Ramiz Mammedov. * Nagara (''Nağaraçılar rəqsi''): is a national Azerbaijani male dance with

nagara (drum) The ''nagara'' or ''naghara'' is a drum used in the Middle East. There are several types of naghara, which is considered to be the lead instrument in folk ceremonies and weddings. The naghara differs in size and goes by various names such as ...

.This dance was composed by great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

was the first to use the

Naqareh The ''naqareh'', ''naqqāra'', ''nagara'' or ''nagada'' is a Middle Eastern drum with a rounded back and a hide head, usually played in pairs. It is thus a membranophone of the kettle drum variety. The term ''naqqāra'' (), also ''naqqarat'', ...

in a dance. *

Kochari Kochari (, , , , ) is a folk dance originating in the Armenian Highlands. It is performed today by Armenians, while variants are performed by Assyrians, Azerbaijanis (yalli, uchayag, and tello), Kurds (dilan, delîlo, and sêxanî), and Pontic ...

(''Köçəri''): is a kind of

Yalli Halay is the national dance of Turkey and a regional category of folk dance styles in central, southern, eastern, and southeastern regions of the country. It is mainly performed by Turks, Arabs, and Kurds in Turkey. Halay and similar dances are ...

, the historical and national dance of Azerbaijan. This dance is a rhythmic, mainly played with a balaban and

. * Mahsul (''Məhsul''): This dance was composed by great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

. The music of this dance was composed by Azerbaijani composer

. * Bulaq bashinda (''Bulaq başında'') This dance was composed by great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

. The music of this dance was composed by Azerbaijani composer

. * Azerbaijan Suite ( Azerbaijani: ''Azərbaycan Suitası'' or ''Azərbaycan toyu'') This dance was composed by great dancer and choreographer Tanxo Izrailov. The music of this dance was composed by Azerbaijani composer

Tofig Guliyev Tofig Alakbar oglu Guliyev ( az, Tofiq Ələkbər oğlu Quliyev, tr, Tevfik Elekber oğlu Guliyev; 7 November 1917, Baku – 4 October 2000, Baku) was a Soviet and Azerbaijani composer, pianist, and conductor. Biography Tofig Guliyev was born in ...

. * Agh chichek (''Ağ çiçək''): This dance composed by Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

Roza Jalilova Roza (Rozalia) Ismayil gizi Jalilova (born 17 May 1929, Quba) is an Azerbaijani dancer, choreographer-ballet master, Honored Artist of the USSR (1959), People's Artist of the Republic of Azerbaijan (2007), Chevalier of the " Sharaf" and “ Shohr ...

. The music of this dance composed by great Azerbaijani composer Emin Sabitoglu * Incelik (''İncəlik''): is a historical Azerbaijani dance. The music of this dance was composed by the great Azerbaijani composer

. * Dostluq (''Dostluq rəqsi''): This dance was composed by a great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

in (1956). The music of this dance composed by great Azerbaijani composer Suleyman Alasgarov. * Toy (''Toy rəqsi'' meaning "wedding dance"): This dance was composed by a great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

and the music of dance composed by great Azerbaijani composer

. * Qazakhi (''Qazaxı rəqsi''): national dance of

Qazakh District Qazax District (; az, Qazax rayonu) is one of the 66 districts of Azerbaijan. It is located in the north-west of the country and belongs to the Gazakh-Tovuz Economic Region. The district borders the district of Aghstafa, and the Tavush Province ...

. The music of the dance is based on Mahur

and first processed and pitched by great Azerbaijani composer

in (1936). * Lyric dance ('' Lirik rəqs''): This dance choreoghraphed by great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer

Afaq Melikova Afaq is a muslim name. e.g Afaq Mushtaq.. Notable people with the name include: *Afaq Ahmed (born 1962), Pakistani politician *Afaq Hussain (1939–2002), Pakistani cricketer *Afaq Khoja (1626–1694), Uyghur political and religious leader *Afaq Ra ...

and music of the dance was composed by great Azerbaijani composer

. * Suzen Gizlar ('' Süzən qızlar''): This dance was choreographed by Tanxo Izrailov and Afaq Melikova. The music of the dance was composed by great Azerbaijani composer

. * Odlar Yurdu (meaning:

The Land of Fire ''The Land of Fire'' ( az, Odlar Yurdu) is the adopted motto of Azerbaijan. Historical and political development The etymology of the phrase is thought to be related to Atropates, who ruled over the region of Atropatene (present Iranian Azerbaij ...

): This dance was choreographed by great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer Afaq Melikova. The music of the dance was composed by great Azerbaijani composer

. *Gobustan (''Qobustan rəqsi''): This dance was choreographed by great Azerbaijani dancer and choreographer Afaq Melikova. The music of the dance was composed by great Azerbaijani composer

. * Ilk Bahar (''İlk Bahar rəqsi''): This dance was choreographed by Ilya Ilich Arbatov. The music of the dance was composed by great Azerbaijani composer

During Nowruz

(meaning "a new day" in Persian, spelled as ''Novruz'' in Azerbaijani) is an ancient celebration of the Iranian

New Year New Year is the time or day currently at which a new calendar year begins and the calendar's year count increments by one. Many cultures celebrate the event in some manner. In the Gregorian calendar, the most widely used calendar system to ...

and spring and the renewal and fertility to come. Nowruz is observed on the day of vernal equinox in

Iran Iran, officially the Islamic Republic of Iran, and also called Persia, is a country located in Western Asia. It is bordered by Iraq and Turkey to the west, by Azerbaijan and Armenia to the northwest, by the Caspian Sea and Turkmeni ...

and as far east as

Tajikistan Tajikistan (, ; tg, Тоҷикистон, Tojikiston; russian: Таджикистан, Tadzhikistan), officially the Republic of Tajikistan ( tg, Ҷумҳурии Тоҷикистон, Jumhurii Tojikiston), is a landlocked country in Centr ...

and as far west as the

Kurdish Kurdish may refer to: *Kurds or Kurdish people *Kurdish languages *Kurdish alphabets *Kurdistan, the land of the Kurdish people which includes: **Southern Kurdistan **Eastern Kurdistan **Northern Kurdistan **Western Kurdistan See also * Kurd (dis ...

regions of

Turkey Turkey ( tr, Türkiye ), officially the Republic of Türkiye ( tr, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti, links=no ), is a list of transcontinental countries, transcontinental country located mainly on the Anatolia, Anatolian Peninsula in Western Asia, with ...

Novruz in Azerbaijan Novruz in Azerbaijan ( az, Novruz Bayramı) is a traditional holiday which celebrates the Persian New Year and the coming of Spring. When Azerbaijan was part of the Soviet Union, the celebration of Novruz was generally unofficial and at times eve ...

is a family holiday that ends with festive public dancing and other entertainment of folk bands.

Musical archaeology

Archaeological research connects the musical culture of modern-day Azerbaijan with

Mesolithic The Mesolithic (Greek: μέσος, ''mesos'' 'middle' + λίθος, ''lithos'' 'stone') or Middle Stone Age is the Old World archaeological period between the Upper Paleolithic and the Neolithic. The term Epipaleolithic is often used synonymous ...

rock carvings depicting dancing people at the archaeological sites in

Qobustan Qobustan or Gobustan may refer to: * Gobustan District, Azerbaijan * Qobustan (town), administrative center of Gobustan District, Azerbaijan * Qobustan, Baku, a settlement and municipality in Azerbaijan ** Gobustan National Park, World Heritage S ...

and Nakhchivan.Sturman, Janet (ed,)
"The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Music and Culture"
University of Arizona, 2019. pp.289-290.

References

Azerbaijani Dance in Iran
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azerbaijani Dances