Dhiváratikos, also known as Syrtós Kefalliniás, is a variation of Greek Syrtó from the village of Dhivara (Divarata) on the Ionian island of Kefalonia (Κεφαλληνία: also transliterated “Cephalonia,” formerly known as Kefallinia or Kephallenia.) Instead of the typical 2/4 time signature of the Syrtó (SQQ), Dhiváratikos squares it out to an even 3/4 (SSS). The the meter and music style demonstrate the Western influence from the historic Venetian presence (read: conquest and occupation) on the west coast of Greece. Corfu, the best known Ionian island, exhibits this to a greater extent.
| Dance Name: | Dhiváratikos (Syrtós Kefalliniás) |
| Original Script: | Διβαράτικος (Συρτος Κεφαλονιάς) |
| Pronunciation: | thee-vah-RAH-tee-kohs |
| Translation: | Dance from Dhivara (Divarata), a village on the Ionian island of Kefalonia) |
| Aliases: | Divaratikos, Kefalonias |
| Country of Origin: | Greece |
| Region: | Dhivara /Kefalonia/Ionian Islands |
| Choreographer: | Village Traditional |
| Dance Type: | Circle/Chain/Line: Non-partner |
| Dance Category: | Village Traditional |
| Folk Status: | Historic (maybe living?) |
| Skill Level: | Easy |
| Energy Intensity: | Moderate |
| Tune/Song: | ? Diváritiko Syrto ? (I haven’t found a name, but there are lyrics, so it should have one.) |
| Time Signature: | 3/4 |
| Pattern: | 4 bars; 2 parts, by music or leader call |
| Dancer Formation: | Open Circle |
| Hand Hold: | W-pos |
| Leads to: | R (back) w/ R |
| Date Taught: | 9/5/2023 |
| Teacher: | Deryl |
| Published: | August 31, 2023 |
| Updated: | December 10, 2024 |
Syrtós Kefalliniás (Dhiváratikos) is an old favorite of RIFD groups, and CSU’s and Deryl’s dance lists include this favorite village traditional dance.
The Bob Feldman Pocono Weekend videos show some turns the whole group can do, rather than just let the leader do all the showing off.
Notes on style variations
Leap Right
- Ranges from slight to very large
- Land on both feet
- Land on R and swing L across R
End-of-phrase “tick-tock” time marker on R foot
- RIFD:
- Toe – Heel
- Toe – Flat foot
- Toe across L – Chug L back & brush R heel fwd
- 2-count circular scuff (Feldman)
- Toe – Pause
- Toe – Heel swivel left
- Toe – Kick (Flick) L
- Flat foot – Pause
When to do Part B?
- By music arrangement.
- At the start, do (1x Part A: 4 bars; 1x Part B: only 1x for 2 bars) x 2
- If the music has it (Folkraft LP 6) do Part B (4 bars) during bridge(s).
- Ignore the music and just do Part B by leader call