SYRIA: Circassians fight to revive the spirit of their traditional dance whilst integrating into modern Syrian society

Record ID: 278928

  • Title: SYRIA: Circassians fight to revive the spirit of their traditional dance whilst integrating into modern Syrian society
  • Date: 13th September 2007
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF SPAPHEET ENSEMBLE PERFORMING SPECTATORS APPLAUDING
  • Embargoed: 28th September 2007 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVA3F2UNLF0NZD0X4W6V08069F9D
  • Story Text: Syrian-based Circassian dancers with the ensemble "Spapheet" performed their traditional Circassian dance to spectators on Monday (September 10) as part of a range of activities aimed at preserving their ancient customs.
    A large number of Circassians nationals fled their homeland during the 19th century, preferring exile to subjection to Russia's imperial conquests.
    The population became scattered around Europe and the Middle East.
    Many of the displaced moved to Syria and settled in what was to be called the "al-Sharkassiyya" (Arabic for Circassian) suburb of Damascus.
    In an interview with Reuters, the Circassian community president in Damascus Janbulat Shikay said there are about 120,000 Syrian-Circassians, most of whom speak the Circassian language.
    "They follow Circassian traditions and they get married the Circassian way," Shikay said.
    Over the decades, the emigrants have successfully integrated into local Syrian culture and language, and have made contributions to the economy, Syrian-Circassian leaders say.
    "Syria and the Syrian government deal with them as full citizens.
    They have full Syrian nationality, they have the same rights as the Arab citizens of Syria, they do military service and they also reach high positions within government," Shikay said.
    The Syrian-based Circassians preserve ancient traditions partly by performing their traditional dance to audiences.
    "We have many activities. We have sports activities, we have cultural and artistic activities, we have many kinds of activities, and I participate in an artistic activity which is dancing," said Janette Ramadan, a "Spapheet" dancer.
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