Hasapiko

The hasapiko (Greek: χασάπικο, pronounced [xaˈsapiko], meaning “the butcher's [dance]”) is a Greek folk dance from Constantinople. The dance originated in the Middle Ages as a battle mime with swords performed by the Greek butchers' guild, which adopted it from the military of the Byzantine era. In Constantinople during the Byzantine times, it was called in Greek μακελλάρικος χορός (makellárikos horós, "butcher's dance", from μακελλάριος “butcher”). Some Greeks, however, reserve the latter term only for the fast version of the dance.

The slow version of the dance is called χασάπικο βαρύ / χασάπικος βαρύς (hasapiko vary or hasapikos varys, "heavy hasapiko") and generally employs a ⁴
₄ meter. The fast version of the dance uses a ²
₄ meter. It is variously called γρήγορο χασάπικο (grigoro hasapiko, "fast hasapiko") or χασαποσέρβικο (hasaposerviko), the last two terms in reference to Serbian and other Balkan influences on this version of the dance. The fast version is also called μακελλάριος χορός (makellarios horos),

In the late Ottoman period, foreign travellers called the Hasapiko Alvanikos horos (Albanian dance) and it was described as performed by 200-300 butchers, in reference to the Arnaoutiko, a dance of the Arvanite butchers of Constantinople.

Sirtaki, the modern staple Greek dance, is a relatively new, choreographed dance, based on hasapiko.