Houshamadyan will publish a series of articles exploring six different versions of the traditional tamzara dance, with today’s articles showcasing the Palu and Kharpert/Harput versions. In the coming weeks, our readers will also be able to acquaint themselves with the tamzaras of Alashgerd, Yerzenga/Erzindjan, Arapgir, and Malatya.
The different versions of this dance were part of each locality’s Armenian musical traditions. In later years, Armenian immigrants and their descendants continued performing these dances in the United States, during various celebrations and excursions. Our work aims to document these Armenian-American dance traditions.
The team of experts working with Houshamadyan has prepared clear instructions on performing each dance’s steps and movements. The articles also feature instructional videos. This team consists of Carolyn Rapkievian (of
Bar Harbor, Maine), Susan and Gary Lind-Sinanian (of Watertown, Massachusetts), Tom Bozigian (of Los Angeles, California), and Robert Haroutunian (of Sunnyside, New York).
For the article on the Kharpert tamzara, click
here:
https://www.houshamadyan.org/mapottomanempire/vilayetofmamuratulazizharput/harputkaza/local-characteristics/dance-tamzara.html For the article on the Palu tamzara, click
here:
https://www.houshamadyan.org/mapottomanempire/vilayetdiyarbekir/palu/local-characteristics/dance-tamzara.htmlThe article was translated into Armenian and Turkish respectively by Vartan Tashjian and Arlet İncidüzen.
Best wishes,
Houshamadyan Editorial Board
