A dagestani version of Lezginka
See the women wearing their arkhaligs and
men with their short sleeved Chokhas
headdressed with white Kubankas (or "Papakhi")
See the women wearing their arkhaligs and
men with their short sleeved Chokhas
headdressed with white Kubankas (or "Papakhi")
Lezginka or Lezghinka (Lezghi: Лезги къуьл; Azerbaijani: Ləzgi) is a national dance of Lezghins popular among many people in the Caucasus Mountains. It derives its names from the Lezgin people; nevertheless, Lezghins, Circassians, Karachays, Balkars, Abkhazians, Kabardins, Turks, Chechens, Mountain Jews, Ingush, Ossetians, Ingilos, Azerbaijanis, Armenians, Georgians, the Russian Kuban and Terek Cossacks and the various ethnicities of Dagestan have their own versions.
Lezginka can be a solo, couple or group dance. Men and women are dressed in traditional costumes (Chokha); men wear a sword adorned on their side and women in long, flowing dresses. The man, imitating an eagle, dances in quick, concise steps; falling to his knees and leaping up quickly. The woman dances quietly, taking light, small steps - giving the appearance of her floating around the floor. When the dance is performed in pairs, the couples do not touch; the woman acknowledges the man, and dances discreetly about him.
