ZEYBEK (Western Anatolia)
ZEYBEK is a word derived from the ancient Turkish language, meaning a wise person. Later it was applied to a class of respected community warriors who were similar, in some ways, to the Japanese Samurai. As an Aegean region dance the Zeybek displays movements signifying self assurance, dignity and bravery. The dance was inspired by the flight of the eagle, a bird much revered in Anatolia. Zeybek is usually thought of as a masculine dance.