Ikariótikos is a traditional Greek chain folk dance from the island of Ikaria in the North Eastern Aegean Sea. Ikaria is the mythical home of first-in-flight famed Icarus, whose father, Daedalus, crafted wax wings for him that were no match for a flight too close to the hot Mediterranean sun (Icarus flew too close to the sun). Some dance specialists say that the traditional Ikariótikos was slow and the quick “version” of it is more of a Ballos. The name ‘Kariótikos is mostly used by the locals of Ikaria. (Wikipedia) There are several possible variations to the basic step.
| Dance Name: | Ikariótikos |
| Original Script: | Ικαριώτικος |
| Pronunciation: | ee-kah-ree-OH-tee-kohs |
| Translation: | Dance from Ikaria |
| Aliases: | ‘Kariótikos, Karia, or Nikaria (used by locals) |
| Country of Origin: | Greece |
| Region: | Ikaria, Aegean Sea, north of Dodecanese Island group |
| Choreographer: | Traditional |
| Dance Type: | Non-Partner | Circle/Chain |
| Dance Category: | Village Traditional |
| Folk Status: | Living |
| Skill Level: | Easy w/ Intermediate variations |
| Energy Intensity: | Moderate to Lively |
| Song: | “Ikariótikos” (traditional) “I Agapi Mou Stin Ikaria” (new, slow versions) |
| Time Signature: | 2/4 |
| Pattern & Rhythm: | 3 bars SQQ SQQ SQQ R,Rh,L RLR LRL (h=hop) |
| Introduction: | Sta Tria/Hasaposervikos (hora), until music picks up |
| Dancer Formation: | Open Circle |
| Hand Hold: | T Shoulder Hold |
| Leads to: | R w/ R leap & L swing |
| Styling: | Light & Bouncy. Weight on balls of feet. |
| Date Taught: | |
| Teacher: | Sophia |
| Published: | July 29, 2023 |
| Updated: | May 3, 2025 |
Variations come in the 3rd bar on S or on QQ.
Fun fact: Icaria is considered one of the world’s five Blue Zones; places where the population regularly lives to an advanced age and one in three makes it into their 90s. This is due to healthy diets and lifestyle, which, of course, includes dancing Ikariótikos!
Dance Notes:
- https://www.socalfolkdance.org/dances/I/Ikariotikos_(Graziosi).pdf
- https://www.socalfolkdance.org/dances/K/’Kariotikos.pdf
- https://www.socalfolkdance.org/dances/I/Ikariotikos_(Karras).pdf
- https://www.socalfolkdance.org/dances/I/Ikariotikos_(Vlandi).pdf
- https://www.socalfolkdance.org/dances/I/Ikariotikos_D_Greek.pdf
- https://www.socalfolkdance.org/dances/I/Ikariotikos_E_Greek.pdf
- https://www.socalfolkdance.org/dances/I/Ikariotikos_F_Greek.pdf
Teaching
Village Examples
Performance Examples
Joe Graziosi’s Picks
Here in the States, among the finest examples of Ikarian danceare those presented by the the dance troupe The Olympian Dancers of Long Beach, CA under the directorship of Vasilis Contos, for the annual FDF (Folk Dance Festival) of the San Francisco Metropolis
Note: the Zeibekiko is an adopted and adapted dance in Ikaria. In the early years, local musicians would take well known tunes , as in this very old Asia Minor melody, and not experienced in the 9/8 meter of the tradition (despite the close proximity of the island to the Asia Minor coast) would reinterpret it as a 2/4. The same thing happened on the island of Mykonos where old time tsabuna (bagpipe) players took popular Zeibekika of the 50s and played them as Syrta.