Eyiya (Turkey)

Eyiya

Turkey

These notes ©2017, Andrew Carnie. Originally taught by Ahmet Lüleci. The name of the dance is the name of a village on the Black Sea

Music: Lüleci Turkish Dances 3
Meter: 7/8 counted as QQS
Formation: Short line, hands interdigitated with forearms parallel to the ground. Traditionally the leader is in the middle of the line, but the dance progresses to the R (CCW)
Introduction: Begin dance with Zurnas (after drums)

(Part 1A)

In all of his instructions, Ahmet has a 4 bar step done only once at the beginning of the music, but he actually doesn't do this step in the video on his VHS tape, instead he goes straight into part 1B. We skip this introductory step too. I note it here for completeness.
Bar 1: Step R (Q), L (Q), R (S) in place
Bar 2: Step L (Q), R (Q), L (S) in place
Bar 3: Step R (Q), L (Q), R (S) moving into the center to the diagonal R
Bar 4: Step L backwards (QQ), Touch R toe next to L (S)

Part 1B

This is the step we actually start with in Tucson and it's the step Ahmet starts with in his video.
Bar 1: Step R (Q), L (Q), R (S) in place
Bar 2: Step L (Q), R (Q), L (S) in place
Bar 3: Step R (Q), L (Q), R (S) in place
Bar 4: Step L (Q), R (Q), L (S) moving in to the center to the diagonal R
Bar 5: Step back out of the center R (QQ), L (S)

repeat until leader calls a change (usually 7 or 8 times, typically with a change in the music)

Transition to Part 2:

Bar 1: facing center, leap on R to R, leaving L foot at floor bending L knee towards R knee  (QQ), Step on L to L (S), arms come down to sides.

Part 2

Bar 1: Facing center, cross R over L (QQ), Step on L to L (S). Shoulders shimmy throughout.
Bar 2: Cross R over L, shimmying shoulders (QQ), Leap on L to L, bending R knee towards L knee, keeping R foot on floor. Arms swing down and back (S)
Bar 3: Step on R to R, arms swing back up to parallel-to-floor position (QQ), Cross L over R, arms swing down and back (S)
Bar 4: facing center, leap on R to R, leaving L foot at floor bending L knee towards R knee, arms swing back up to parallel-to-floor position  (QQ), Step on L to L (S).

repeat until leader calls a change (usually 7 or 8 times, typically with a change in the music)

Other instructions on the web

• Page 6 of (2003) Laguna Festival Syllabus
• Page 100b of 2002 Stockton Folk Dance Camp

Other Sources

• Luleci, Ahmet (2003), VHS Video Tape #3