Popular semmame clip on YouTube
One of the best features of YouTube, besides the obvious access to clips from around the world, is the comments section. I must admit, ugly sentiments and vile comments can be often be found but more times than not, there are active interesting and informative conversations taking place.
After watching a good chunk of the available Kurdish Halay clips and scouring the commentary for bits of English to further my education on this intriguing dance, I finally decided to ask questions. And I am happy to say, I received answers.
I was told that “semmame” is Kurdish for a small, aromatic melon but it is also a traditional name for Kurdish women. My new YouTube friend also said:
“Another possibility is that in Kurdish tradition, when they love their daughters or young girls, they call them with the names of flowers and fruits. This song is Semmame buka.. buka means little lady.”
Ah, nice!
Agire Jiyan
My helpful correspondent also suggested the above video. Agire Jiyan is one of the more popular singers of the Kurdish style of music called zer mircan. The dance they are performing is called semmame halayi.
I was also told Armenian Halay is very similar to the Kurdish style. Hopefully, I’ll have more information next week when the correspondent will help translate a website on Kurdish Folk Dances.
The semmame dance is a old kurdish dance. This dance has nothing to do with armenian dances. Their dances is totally different. The kurds have lots of dance varieties, each one comes from different places from Kurdistan and are unique.
The title should be Kurdish Govend not Halay, halay is a turkish word.
Thanks for the information, Secret! I’ve been having a difficult time getting background on this music and dance. There are not enough resources in English. I’d appreciate any other details you would like to share. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. 🙂
No problem! Just ask me if there is something you would like to know. I am also studying my culture and background, but have little time to do so because of school and so.
Here is a dance that is on the typically kurdish dance styles. We kurds de have a lot of dance styles, each one are unique and represent something. Hopefully someone will gather information about these dances and spread them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNkcEyL_W2M
Armenian dances are similar to Kurdish dances but more to Kurdish dances from Turkey, because Armenians and Kurds lived together for centuries in East Anatolia. Especially between Armenians and Kurdish alevis you can find similarities in dance style. But you have also to consider that there are differences between west armenja and east Armenia dance style.
So happy to find this explanation of the Kurdish dance I have been watching on YouTube. I’ve never seen it before and I am truly enjoying watching the various YouTube clips of Kurdish dance. . I would love to read more about this dance and if there’s any historical meaning to it. I found it utterly delightful and would love to dance with them!