The Kochari dance (Armenian: Քոչարի – K’očari; Greek: Κότσαρι – Kόtsari; Turkish: Koçari) is an Armenian folk dance with many versions, mostly seen in the Highlands.
In 2017 and 2018, Armenian and Azerbaijanian Kochari forms were added to the list of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding as variations of the Yalli dance.
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Kochari Dance Origin
Dating back to centuries ago, the original Armenian Kochari was a martial dance based on hunting experience and military elements.
However, it was, surprisingly, not a dance only for men, but a ritual conducted for practically everyone involved in the intense upcoming event.
Once the wars were over, the peaceful Kochari became an imitation of animals, specifically jumping goats or sheep. The core meaning of the dance was to unleash the beastly habits and spare the animals no chance to escape.
- The literal translation of the Armenian name is “knee-come”.
- In Greek, the name means “raise the heel”, mostly because Greek dances tend to focus the most on the heel rather than the rest of a foot.
- For (Azerbaijani) Turkish, the term carries a mix of verbs and nouns, roughly translated to “the move of a nomad” or “a nomadic move”.
The Kochari dance is always open for participation, regardless of your gender, age, or status. Solidarity and shared identity are the essences of this dance, as it contributes to the community historically, culturally, and ethnically.
Doing their best to transmit Kochari to the younger generations, the people of these communities utilize both formal and informal methods. This successfully keeps the transmission uninterrupted.
The formal means involve an official course at Armenian schools, programs in art centers for children, wide coverage via the Internet and social media, and institutional activities. The communities started having more groups specializing in folk dances and the government invested in corresponding classes.
The informal means include activities within a family or spontaneous group activities. Despite not being organized methods, these activities are extremely effective in maintaining the viability of Kochari and offering a friendly approach to this dance.
Kochari Dance Performance
Social anthropologist and ethnomusicologist John Blacking refers to Kochari as a group dance, wherein the dancers stand abreast and imitate goats.
They will hold each other’s hand and execute high jumps, with which they headbutt imaginary rivals.
Therefore, the most prominent movement in Kochari is the way dancers thrust forth rapidly and withdraw back completely. After a lunge, they will straighten their knees so powerfully and resolutely, hence it requires decent stamina too.
A formal performance of Kochari requires the dancers to wear traditional clothes.
The men will have a maroon overcoat and a matching pair of trousers with a golden vest. The women will wear maroon headgear, golden tops, and a mix of those colors for their skirts.
How To Dance Kochari
A basic routine for Kochari dance is described below.
The footwork
- Turn to the left with your knees bent slightly and jump to straighten them. Repeat this move once.
- Tap the heel of your right foot at the front, then cross the left toes over the right, release the right foot, and put it next to the left again.
- Increase the pace when you are more familiar with the sequence.
The arms
- Raise your hands and keep your fingers at the height of your shoulders before hooking your pinkies with your dance partners.
- As you cross your foot over the other, lower your hands and bow slightly.
- When you release your crossed legs, your hands are up again.
Kochari Variations
All versions of Kochari have a three-part structure. Each part can be slow or fast depending on the choreographer.
Men and women will form two groups. They center on a leader who holds a cane and gives instructional signs so the performers can change the formats.
The Armenian version
This version expresses a rather intimidating vibe, perhaps linked to the fact that Kochari arrived in Armenia after the infamous genocide.
It can be danced by both male and female dancers, recently added with a full-body shake called “tremolo”.
Pontic Greeks
Pontic Greeks version, on the other hand, included Kochari as one of their warlike dances, though it harbored a different 2/4 rhythm. The routine surrounded a closed circle and involved rigorous movements.
The Azerbaijan state
Azerbaijan State version still plays Kochari today, mostly in the regions of Sadarak, Julfa, Kangarli, and Sharur as a folklore collective activity. It is usually seen at wedding ceremonies.
According to experts, it doesn’t take experienced dancers to have a successful Kochari performance. Instead of advanced techniques, you will only need some stamina and a good partner who shares the same sentiment with you.
Check more: Kumina Dance: Origin, Instruments, Moves, Costumes & More
Final Words
Being included in the UNESCO list of heritage in need of protection, we have the right to hope for more actions to be taken to broaden the coverage and preserve the value of the Kochari dance.
Currently, on the last Friday of each summer month, Armenian people gather at “The Cascade” – Cafesjian Center for the Arts – and attend free lessons in traditional dances. Here, Kochari is always included as it is the most favored and imperative.