Syrtos with the Mandili
Posted
by Christos on Monday, February 14, 2005
The Syrtos in Lesvos - often called the Ballos or Syrtoballos - is a dance in 2/4 time. It takes various forms, usually being danced by a couple - traditionally two men or two women, as a man would not normally dance with a woman who was not his wife or other close relative.In this picture it is being danced "with the Mandili", a large handkerchief or headscarf, by three men in Agra. They each hold the Mandili with one hand, dancing the usual Syrtos steps (SLOW-quick-quick) as they circle round.
