Mapping the Various Forms of the Dance “Sousta” on the Island of Rhodes

Abstract

A thorough look into the dance tradition in Greece leads to the observation a single dance can appear in various forms from one region to another or even among municipalities. Focusing on the island of Rhodes in Dodecanese it may be observed that one specific dance, called “Sousta”, is danced in different forms among various communities. The aim of this paper is to map “Sousta” dance through its recording, in order to showcase the variety of forms of this dance on the island of Rhodes. Through this mapping, eventual similarities but also differences among those dance forms will arise. Collection and processing of data is based on the principles of bibliographic research. Analysis, description, and interpretation of the forms of “Sousta” dance was carried out according to the Labanotation dance recording system. From the ethnographic data and the comparative presentation of the forms of “Sousta” dance it is observed a variety when it comes to the dance execution. There are common patterns of the “Sousta” dance, which are repeated, modified and transformed and that leads to such a great variety of forms that this dance presents.