Azerbaijani Folk Dances: What to Know

Folk dance shows how a people see themselves — brave, proud and light-footed. In Azerbaijan people dance at weddings, holidays and in the courtyard, and almost every celebration ends in a big circle.

The best-known dances

• Yalli — an ancient chain dance where dancers hold hands or shoulders and follow a leader in a circle. Yalli of Nakhchivan is inscribed by UNESCO.
• Uzundara — a slow, graceful women's dance traditionally performed by the bride.
• Lezginka — a fast dance where the man shows strength and agility and the woman grace.
• Tarakama and Gaytagi — energetic dances with expressive arm movements.

Costume and music

Women dance in long dresses with wide sleeves, men in a chokha coat and papakha hat. The naghara drum, zurna and balaban set the rhythm, and everyone knows the tunes.

Where to see it

• At folklore evenings in Old City restaurants.
• During Novruz in March, when people dance in the squares.
• At performances of the state song and dance ensemble.

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