Tsamikos

The tsamikos is named for the Tsames in Northern Epirus but some sources say it is named after the clothes of the Kleftes.  The Kleftes, the mountain fighters in the Greek War of Independence danced this dance after they won the War of Independence in 1821. The main feature of the kleftiko costume is the foustanella.  This costume has 400 pleats that depict the 400 years of slavery during the Ottoman Empire.  This dance is also appropriately called the victory dance.

Tsifteteli

Tsifteteli was mainly brought to Greece by the Asia Minor Greeks, who had to leave their home towns and go over to Greece because of a population exchange between Greece and Turkey. Greece was occupied by the Turks for 400 years and was a part of the Ottoman Empire. Tsifteteli, as we know it today, allows expression through movement and has developed through the last 80 years into the most popular and most common Greek dance in Greek taverns.  

ZEMBEKIKOS
One of the most popular dances dance by men is the Zembekiko.  This dance is called the “drunken man’s” dance.  You will observe and enjoy their concentration , acrobatic ability and tavern style performance.