26 September 2010 By Manos 0
The Sarakatsani nomadic shepherds of continental Greece are mainly located along the ranges of the Pindos massif. Epirus, Thessaly, Macedonia and Thrace are the provinces in which they are most numerous. Sarakatsani communities are also found further in the north. Their seasonal migrations had led many of them across the border to Bulgaria, Turkey, Albania and Yugoslavia. They are Greek-speaking, wherever they live.
Ktsadikos was danced by kleftes (sarakatsani rebels), when Greece was occupied by Turkish. This dance represents the honour and the faith of the rebels towards their captain who died for the country's independency and freedom. This is why the first dancer of ktsadikos is given plenty of time to perform on his own showing off his bravery, courageousness and proud ness. The leaps (koutso-ktso) dominate in the dance borrowing the name to it (ktsadikos).
Ktsadikos is traditionally danced only by men. It has twenty steps; most often appeared deep squats and leaps. The leaps (koutso-ktso) dominate in the dance borrowing the name to it (ktsadikos). The dance starts with the legs crossed over indicating that this is a kleftikos (rebellious) dance.
