Hasapiko
Hasapiko (Greek χασάπικο) is a Greek traditional dance. It is also called χασάπικος χόρος or simply χασάπικος (hasapikos horos, chasápikos, khasápikos, hasápikos). The name comes from the word "butcher" (χασάπης, derived from Turkish kasap). The dance originated among members of the Butcher's Guild in Constantinople in Byzantine times, and was originally called μακελλάρικος χορός (makellarikos horos), which is still the proper term in katharevousa (purist Greek). Some Greeks, however, reserve the latter term only for the fast version of the dance.
The slow version of the dance is called χασάπικο βαρύ (hasapiko vari) or χασάπικος βαρύς (hasapikos varis) and generally employs a 4/4 tempo.
The fast version of the dance uses a 2/4 tempo. It is called variously γρηγορό χασάπικο, γρηγορός χασάπικος, μακελλάριος χορός; χασαποσέρβικο (grigoro hasapiko, grigoros hasapikos, makellarios horos, sousta and hasaposerviko - the latter a reference to Serbian and other Balkan Slavic influences on this version of the dance.
Hasapiko served as a base for the Sirtaki.
- See also