Could you maybe explain some of the cultural nuance of zeimbekiko?
Zeimbekiko or Zembekiko is a dance that originated in the Greek marginalized class in Asia Minor in the early 20th century. The Greeks in the area were already an oppressed class for centuries, especially those of lower incomes.
The zeimbekiko dance was tied to the rebetiko music scene and it was prevalent in Smyrna. Although there is some connection to Turkish culture (the Turks have a similar dance), the Greeks took over rebetiko and zeimbekiko at the time and transformed to the popular song and dance that is famous today.
An old documentary calls rebetiko "the Blues of Greece" and I think it's an apt comparison. Here's the English documentary:
Historically, zeimbekiko was danced by men, especially working-class, marginalized, or tough figures, like dockworkers, refugees, prisoners. It’s one of the few times in Greek society where a man, who otherwise must appear strong and stoic, could openly show his vulnerability, pain, and pride, without judgment. It's a dance about catharsis, since one dances to songs about grief, loss, defiance, and existential pain.
Zeimbekiko has no fixed steps and can be danced at all ages, even by children. Some dance instructors insist there are standard steps but there is no "bad form" in a zeimbekiko. Although you can learn to dance it in a more professional and contained way, the average person makes whatever moves come from their soul. One's meant to dance it in a sloppy way, as if they're drunk from alcohol and/or heavy pain.
Each dancer improvises, moving alone in a circle or a small space, often hunched slightly forward, with gestures that can be heavy, slow, or sudden. It’s a solo dance. Sometimes two dancers might “face off,” but never as partners. The first one dances and when they are done they concede their place to the next.
Nowadays, women also dance zeimbekiko. Typically, women hold their arms higher when dancing but they're not judged if they don't. (Because it would be dishonest to judge someone in such a vulnerable and dignified moment) I prefer to have my arms open wide "the manly way" because it expresses me more and gives me better balance.
In Greek social gatherings, when someone stands up for a zeimbekiko, it's their moment, and the rest stand aside and clap to the rhythm - if the moment allows for it. Although the rebetiko songs of zeimbekiko deal with grief and pain, zeimbekiko can be danced in happy occasions such as weddings, Christmas celebrations etc.
Here's a mix with great rebetiko pieces! One of my favorites here is the third piece, called "Five Greeks in Hades", where five Greeks go to the Underworld and start playing rebetiko and breaking everything in their festive mood, causing the devils in that dark place to dance and get crazy with the euphoria of the music.
And some "heavier" ones:
