The Tsakonian dance is probably the only music sample of ancient Greek music as a whole in melody, rhythm and dance that has survived until today as sacred devotional dance.
This dance is described as representation of the Theseus effort to get out from the labyrinth or the dance “Geranos” that was described by Plutarch. It was taken by the Minoans and Mycenaean from Laconia which resorted to Parnona (1100bc) to avoid Dorians. With the prevalence of Twelve Gods this dance was dedicated to Apollo, representing the victorious battle with the snake.
Magnificent, pagan and sacramental, the “closed” Tsakonian dance with very ancient rhythm and melody is forming a whole of sacred devotion.
This kind of dance was always practiced in closed societies because it was forbidden.
Crossed hands and gripped with fingers crossed and tightened, their bodies glued to each other with no room for “comfort”.
The slow steps, carefully measured.
The dance unfolds with circles, curves, folding and unfolding, in 5/8 (slow) or 5/4 (fast).
Other tsakonian dances are “four”, “in three” and “over the side”