Sousta is a Greek folk dance, performed at weddings as an activity of courtship between husband and wife.
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13 Facts About Sousta
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The Sousta acted as a socialisation process between the youth of a village, evolving into a dance central to these youth as they grew up and formed relationships with others.
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Socially, the Sousta functioned as a visible verification of courtship, namely paying respects to the wife and her family.
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The Sousta is most commonly performed as a three-step dance, with a 'hopping' motion and crossed-over hands.
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The Sousta was seen as a dance of the sea, linked to its origins from the island of Crete.
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Sousta represents the interplay of gender roles within its performance.
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Sousta involved socialisation between the youth, with older children often inviting the younger to play.
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Sousta was danced with a bowl, in which viewers of the dance would throw money as a form of their appreciation for the lead dancer.
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The fast-paced nature of the Sousta's jumps suited younger dancers, and the courtship they portrayed in young couples.
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Music to the Sousta dance is most commonly played using a lyre, violin, lauoto, and mandolin.
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Varying instruments that accompany the Sousta could be played by several people within the village, with the most common being a shepherd.
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