Muammer Ketencoğlu

Zeybek is a traditional musical-dance style from Western Anatolia (the Aegean region of Turkey) characterized by asymmetric aksak meters—most commonly 9/8 divided as 2+2+2+3—and a proud, heroic bearing. It exists in two main tempo families: ağır zeybek (slow, weighty, processional) and kıvrak zeybek (lively, agile). The music typically features modal (makam-based) melodies ornamented with slides and grace notes, performed on instruments such as bağlama (saz), cura, zurna and davul in rural settings, and clarinet, oud, kanun, and violin in urban arrangements. The dance is often a solo male performance (but also danced in groups), with outstretched arms and measured steps that evoke dignity and defiance, reflecting the ethos of the Aegean efe (local militia/outlaw) culture.