Folk Dances of the Teke Region

Teke Region folk dances are traditional dances that developed within the geographic boundaries of the Tekeoğulları Beylik, established in the region around Antalya after the collapse of the Anatolia Seljuk State. This area, known until the Republican Era as the Teke Sanjak, is today referred to as the Teke Region and encompasses Antalya, Burdur, Isparta, southern Denizli, the districts of Fethiye and Ortaca in Muğla, and the districts of Dinar and Dazkırı in Afyon. The dances of this region, where Yörük and Turkmen cultures predominate, bear the traces of nomadic life and nature and are characterized by rapid and lively movements of the hands, arms and feet.

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The name “Teke,” which gives the region its identity, derives from the male black ram, which was abundantly raised in the area and served as the leader of the flocks. The term “Zortlatma” or “Zortlama,” referring to the most distinctive type of dance, originates from the leaping, jumping and sudden movements made by the ram during its mating season in autumn (teke katımı). Shepherds imitated these natural movements with the kaval, giving rise to “Teke Zortlatması.” The dances are also known among the people by various names such as “Teke Havası,” “Menevşeli,” “Tüngümeli,” “Aykırı,” or “Teke Sekişi.”

The musical structure of Teke Region dances is based on melodies known as “Teke Havaları” or “Boğaz Havaları.” Boğaz Havası refers to the unique melodies produced by Teke Yörük shepherds by pressing their fingers against their throats and moving them up and down. Dances typically begin with long melodies called “Guval” (gurbet havası). The main instruments accompanying the dances are the bağlama, three-stringed kabak kemane, kaval, and the region-specific instrument called sipsi. In outdoor performances, davul and zurna are used, while for women’s gatherings, the leğen, tepsi, tef or delbek serve as rhythmic instruments.

The dances of the region are categorized according to their rhythmic structures and movement patterns.

A highly dynamic and agile dance in 9/16 time signature. The dance figures reflect the movements of the ram. The fastest section of the dance is called “Dattiri.” The most well-known folk songs of the region are “Cemilem,” “Yayla Yolları,” “Antalya’nın Mor Üzümü,” “Kezban Yenge,” and “Hadi Gari Sen de Gel.”

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The regional zeybek dances are more dynamic than those of the Aegean region and are classified into four main groups:

• Teke Zeybeği: The fastest zeybek type, performed in 9/8 time. Examples include “Sarı Zeybek,” “Haymanalı,” and “Şu Dirmilin Çalgısı.”
• Heavy Zeybekler (Kesinti Zeybekleri): Slow-tempo dances performed in 9/2 and 9/4 time signatures, expressing courage and strength. “Alyazma,” “Gölhisar,” “Tefenni,” and “Avşar Zeybeği” belong to this group. Avşar Zeybeği begins with a gurbet havası and continues with gezenneme steps.
• Agile Zeybekler: Dances emphasizing agility and vigor, featuring finger snapping and knee striking movements. “Serenler Zeybeği” and “Bucak Serenleri” are examples of this type.
• Broken Zeybekler: Dances such as “Karaağaç” and “Osman Efe,” characterized by intense bending and knee-bending movements.

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• Gabardıç (Kaba Ardıç): An ancient dance performed in 2/4 time with continuous repetition of a musical phrase, its origins traced to shamanism. The basic movement involves hopping on the left foot while touching the right foot to the ground.
• Dimidan: A general term for dances performed by women accompanied by tef, leğen or sini. It is not only the name of a single dance but also refers to musical entertainment among women.
• Mengi: A dance performed at weddings in Alevi villages of Antalya, resembling the semah movements of Cem ceremonies but more agile.
• Sektirme: A dance performed in 9/8 rhythm, consisting of hopping and gliding movements.

Regional costumes contribute significantly to the visual richness of the dances. Women’s attire consists of a fes, ornate yazma, forehead ornament, chin guard, three-layered kutnu skirt, cepken, göynek, şalvar, woolen socks, çarık and yemeni. Accessories include metal belts, necklaces and bracelets. Men’s attire includes a fes and poşu on the head, mintan on the back, göynek and cepken (kepe), a şal belt and kolon belt around the waist, and beneath these, çağşır, woolen socks and çarık.