Halay

Halay is the most widespread folk dance of Eastern, South-eastern and Central Anatolia. Dancers form a line or half-circle, linking little fingers or holding each other's shoulders, and step together.

The halaybaşı, waving a handkerchief, leads at the head of the line, and the poççik closes it. The dance usually begins slowly and gradually speeds up, accompanied by davul and zurna or the bağlama.

No wedding, holiday or football victory passes without halay. Each region has its own: the halays of Sivas, Elazığ, Diyarbakır and Gaziantep differ in steps and rhythm.