By Ugab Al-Qubaa (with photos) DAMASCUS, Dec 20 (KUNA) -- The Circassians have no archives to keep their history however their folkloric activities namely dancing depict various aspects of their history, identity, traditions and aspirations.
The Circassians dance to express various sentiments and experiences, to bring to live the gods they used to worship, express their cavalier spirit, their original identity as diehard warriors, skilled in using various primitive arms. They also manifest their relationship with the nature, the sea, the animals, namely the eagles and horses, land cultivation, sowing and hunting.
The Gafa dance, for example, symbolizes the pride of the Circassians, said Wasim Qat, member of the Circassian Society in Syria in an interview with KUNA. In other types of dances, such as Zagalyat and Islamey, the Circassians express ability of tolerance, physical might and fitness and all-time readiness to fight.
The Circassians perform various other dances, such as Zafak and Udzh, on happy occasions in the Caucasian homeland and in the diaspora countries.
Qat said the Circassians should maintain their folkloric heritage namely the dancing as a means to preserve their distinctive culture and identity, adding that although the dances appear different in style and performance, they are complementary and reflect a single conscience and entity.
Being a conservative society, a woman dancer won't look directly in the eyes of her male compatriot on stage, and the latter performs wider and more dominant moves, reflecting man's higher status in the Circassian society, compared to the humble role and position of the females.
The Circassian dancing, in essence, reflects the interaction between a man and woman in love, in the pre-marriage times till their union.
The two dancers are not allowed to talk to each other or make physical contact, a gravely shameful act according to the Circassian customs and traditions. Only in the Udzh performance, the male holds her hand depicting a legal union following a marathon dialogue with symbolic moves and turns in a colorful musical show.
Circassian dancing, he adds, should not be viewed solely for entertainment, but for education about this extinction-threatened civilization, that is rich in conservative values and traditions. (end) am.rk KUNA 200938 Dec 10NNNN