Do both Zeybek and Sirtaki dances involve similar steps?

While Zeybek and Sirtaki dances may seem similar at first glance, they actually have distinct differences in terms of style and origin.

Zeybek is a traditional Turkish dance that dates back to the Ottoman Empire. It is named after a group of fighters known as Zeybeks, who resisted Ottoman rule in rural areas of Turkey. The dance involves a combination of slow, fluid movements and quick, sharp steps, often accompanied by live music played on traditional Turkish instruments.

Sirtaki, on the other hand, is a popular Greek dance that was made famous by the 1964 film "Zorba the Greek". It is a relatively modern dance that was created to represent the celebratory spirit of the Greek people. Sirtaki involves a series of simple, repetitive steps that gradually increase in speed and complexity, usually accompanied by traditional Greek music.

So, while both dances involve moving to music and share some similarities, they are distinct in terms of their style, origin, and cultural significance.