Difference between revisions of "Dance of Zalongo"
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| − | [[Image:The Souliot Women 1827.jpg|thumb|400px|A painting by Ary Scheffer(1795-1858), "The women, entrapped, turned towards the steep cliff. It was [[December 16]], [[1803]] when the dance began. As the enemy charged against them, the women one-by-one threw their children from the cliff before jumping after them themselves. The decision: to choose death over enslavement" (1827 - Oil on canvas, Musιe du Louvre, Paris, France).]] | + | [[Image:The Souliot Women 1827.jpg|thumb|400px|A painting by Ary Scheffer(1795-1858), "The women, entrapped, turned towards the steep cliff. It was [[December 16]], [[1803]] when the dance began. As the enemy charged against them, the women one-by-one threw their children from the cliff before jumping after them themselves. The decision: to choose death over enslavement" ([[1827]] - Oil on canvas, Musιe du Louvre, Paris, France).]] |
In Greek folklore, the [[Dance of Zalongo]] (or Zalongo Dance) holds a very special and emotive place. The historic events that surround the heroic act of 63 Souliotises (women from [[Souli]]), were first reported in the '''Ethnic Newspaper''' of [[Nafplion]], [[Peloponnese]], on [[June 18]], [[1932]]. | In Greek folklore, the [[Dance of Zalongo]] (or Zalongo Dance) holds a very special and emotive place. The historic events that surround the heroic act of 63 Souliotises (women from [[Souli]]), were first reported in the '''Ethnic Newspaper''' of [[Nafplion]], [[Peloponnese]], on [[June 18]], [[1932]]. | ||
| − | Souli is a village in the Thesprotia | + | [[Souli]] is a village in the [[Thesprotia]] prefecture of western [[Epirus]]. It climbs up the [[Zalongo]] mountaintop, which sports a mighty deep gorge, that received the women of Souli, when they decided to die rather than fall in the hands of the enemy. During the [[War of Independence]], the men of Souli fought and fell heroically, one by one. On [[December 16]] [[1803]], the 63 Souliotises, holding their children in their arms formed a circle and performed the '''Zalongo Dance'''. Each one led a full circle and on reaching the crater, first threw in the child, then herself jumped into the abyss. |
In this way they fell until none was left. | In this way they fell until none was left. | ||
| − | The song which the Souliotises sang while dancing their macabre | + | The song which the Souliotises sang while dancing their macabre '''[[syrtos]]''' was based on a poem by the Greek national poet [[Dionysios Solomos]], best known from his verses that became the Greek [[National Anthem]]; it said: |
''Farewell miserable world,''<br/> | ''Farewell miserable world,''<br/> | ||
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''And as for you ill-fated home''<br/> | ''And as for you ill-fated home''<br/> | ||
''Farewell for ever...'' | ''Farewell for ever...'' | ||
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| + | [[Category:Ottoman Greece]] | ||
| + | [[Category:1803]] | ||
Latest revision as of 14:28, November 18, 2007
In Greek folklore, the Dance of Zalongo (or Zalongo Dance) holds a very special and emotive place. The historic events that surround the heroic act of 63 Souliotises (women from Souli), were first reported in the Ethnic Newspaper of Nafplion, Peloponnese, on June 18, 1932.
Souli is a village in the Thesprotia prefecture of western Epirus. It climbs up the Zalongo mountaintop, which sports a mighty deep gorge, that received the women of Souli, when they decided to die rather than fall in the hands of the enemy. During the War of Independence, the men of Souli fought and fell heroically, one by one. On December 16 1803, the 63 Souliotises, holding their children in their arms formed a circle and performed the Zalongo Dance. Each one led a full circle and on reaching the crater, first threw in the child, then herself jumped into the abyss.
In this way they fell until none was left.
The song which the Souliotises sang while dancing their macabre syrtos was based on a poem by the Greek national poet Dionysios Solomos, best known from his verses that became the Greek National Anthem; it said:
Farewell miserable world,
Farewell oh sweet life,
And as for you ill-fated home
Farewell for ever...