Circassian folk dancing ( Kabardinka)

Kabardinka is known as The Kabardian Dance Ensemble, one of the first national troupes in Circassia, was established in 1933. It started out as an amateur group, and attracted the best local dancers and musicians. It is considered one of the finest dance troupes in the Caucasus, and has performed in the Russian Federation and abroad. Its repertoire includes many traditional dances with developed choreographs. These convey reserved inner temperament, majestic beauty and elegance—literally enchanting the spectators. ‘Kabardinka’ was recognized as ‘National Treasure of the Circassian Nation’ by the International Circassian Association (ICA) in October 2013. It celebrated its 80th Anniversary in November 2013.


This version of this dance performed in Turkey is called Kafkas, from Kafkasya, the Turkish word for the Caucasus mountain region that was home to the Circassian people before the Circassian genocide. Another similar dance is called the lezginka.