Kurdish Dance

Kurdish dance (Kurdish: Govend, هه‌ڵپه‌ركێ / Hilperkê ) is a group of traditional hand-holding dances similar to those from the Balkans, Lebanon and Eastern European countries. It is a form of round dancing, with a single or a couple of figure dancers often added to the geometrical centre of the dancing circle. According to the Encyclopaedia of Islam, Kurds sing and dance in all of their festivals, birthdays, New Years, Newroz, marriage and other ceremonies. Its noteworthy that these folkloric dances are mixed-gender which distinguishes the Kurds from a few other neighbouring Muslim populations.