The tradition
Azerbaijani dances (Azerbaijani: 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. 1
Examples of dances in Azerbaijan
Abayi (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 (Azerbaijani: Ağır Qaradağı, meaning "heavy Karadakhi") is a dance song that originated in Karadakh. This slow dance is popular in Shaki and Zaqatala. 1
Anzali (Azerbaijani: Ənzəli) is a traditional dance that was created approximately in 1880–1890 in Baku. This slow dance is typically performed by older people at the beginning of wedding ceremonies. Asma Kasma (Azerbaijani: Asma Kəsmə, meaning "hanging cutting") is one of the oldest Azerbaijani wedding dances. The song "Asma-Kasma" accompanies the procession of the bride to the bridegroom'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. This slow dance has fixed movements. Avari (Azerbaijani: Avarı) originates from the Avari people who live in Azerbaijan. Throughout the dance's three parts, the dancers' movements gradually accelerate until they reach the quick rhythm of the Lezginka music. Banovsha (Azerbaijani: Bənövşə, meaning "Viola flower") represents how a violet grows from the ground, blooms, and fades. This dance is performed at Nowruz spring festivals in Azerbaijan. Bahar (Bahar rəqsi or Gülbaxçalar or Bahar gəldi or Bahar olsun): this dance is performed in Nowruz spring festivals in Azerbaijan by women. The dance consisted of 3 parts. 1
During Nowruz
Nowruz (meaning "a new day" in Persian, spelled as Novruz in Azerbaijani) is an ancient celebration of the Iranian New Year and spring and the renewal and fertility to come. Nowruz is observed on the day of vernal equinox in Iran and as far east as Tajikistan and as far west as the Kurdish regions of Turkey. Novruz in Azerbaijan is a family holiday that ends with festive public dancing and other entertainment of folk bands. 1
Musical archaeology
Archaeological research connects the musical culture of modern-day Azerbaijan with Mesolithic rock carvings depicting dancing people at the archaeological sites in Qobustan and Nakhchivan. 1
The text above is adapted from the Wikipedia article “Azerbaijani dances”, available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 licence. 1
Azerbaijani folk dance is type of dance, according to the structured record cited below. This entry was generated automatically from that record and has not yet been reviewed by a person familiar with the tradition. 2
The source record links this tradition to 3 external registers, which can be verified through the citation. 2
