Azerbaijan is a small yet populous country bordering the Caspian Sea on the east and fringed by Iran, Armenia, Georgia and Russia. In a region of the world so rich in history, traditional Azeri dances tell a story of friendship, courage and invincibility. These dances are inspired by daily life and so depict common events. The Chichekler, Choban Regsi and Yalli are a few such dances that showcase the diversity and unity of traditional Azeri dance. Chichekler, meaning "flowers," is a dance created in 1910 which combines the beauty of nature with natural beauty. In this elegant dance, a group of girls gathers to collect flowers. The girls flaunt the beauty of their findings against their colorful costumes with the flowers reflect the beauty of their owners. The Chichekler is an upbeat and energetic dance with appropriate music, decorated with intricate hand movements and spins. These fine maneuvers are complimented by larger formations where the dance party forms circles and triangles with the music.
Little has been written about the Choban Regsi, but its roots as a traditional shepherd dance explain much about its movements and costuming. Only men can participate in this dance which puts into motion the cheerful spirit of the shepherd as he moves his herd to the valley. The sanguine music of the Choban Regsi is accompanied by dancers in traditional rural shepherd attire.
There are several descriptions for the next dance as it can be performed in varying forms. Yalli, or Yally, is a traditional celebratory group dance emphasizing unity and worship where performers hold hands to form a chain. It is arguably performed as a celebration of fire, a goddess, and as a sign of heat, light, warmth and food. Other descriptions explain it as a way of asking the Lord for one's daily bread. It begins at a modest pace and gradually speeds up to a running speed at its completion. The entire performance is synchronized, which is no small feat considering the complicated movements that comprise it. For those participants who don't do the dance properly, they may be "fired" by the lead of the dance, who can then order them to sing a song or do another dance.
These dances are only a few who comprise the hefty catalogue of Azeri dances. Many of these dances, such as the Vagzali and the Uzundere, are ritual and performed at ceremonies such as weddings. Other dances, like the Banovsha and the Ceyran Bala, express the organic nature of flora and fauna, respectively. Azeri dances draw from common experiences and daily life to create beautiful expressions of emotions that everyone can understand.
